Impairment scores of type III open tibial fractures.

The results of 17 patients with type III open tibial fractures were judged retrospectively by using the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. The fractures were divided into types IIIA (N = 7), IIIB (N = 5) and IIIC (N = 5) according to Gustilo et al. (1984). The impairment scores of these patients were compared with those after a through-knee amputation (36 per cent impairment) or a below-knee amputation (28 per cent impairment). The average impairment scores of the three groups were: IIIA 7.1 per cent, IIIB 19 per cent, IIIC 18.4 per cent. The impairment score of salvaged type III open tibial fractures, for each group, IIIA, IIIB and IIIC, was lower than that after a below-knee or through-knee amputation.