Classification

The classification of tibia and fibula fractures emphasizes different characteristics of the injury:

• classification according to soft tissue injury:
  • C0: minor tissue damage with a simple fracture
  • C1: superficial abrasion or contusion with a simple fracture
  • C2: deep abrasions, contusion, swelling with severe fracture
  • C3: extensive soft tissue damage
    
    
• Gustilo grading for open fractures:
  
  
• type I:
  • simple fracture
  • tiny break in the skin
    
    
• type II:
  • moderate fracture
  • break in the skin less than 1 cm
    
    
• type III:
  • severe fracture
  • extensive soft tissue injury
  • wound contamination
  • IIIA has sufficient skin coverage
  • IIIB has skin loss
  • IIIC has arterial damage