Fractures of the leg are believed to be a common occurrence in athletics, but the actual incidence of the injury is unclear. Tibia fractures can be separated into low-energy and high-energy injuries. Mechanisms of low-energy injuries include simple falls and sport-related causes, whereas high-energy injuries are primarily caused by automobile accidents and falls from heights. Fractures are also classified by the extent of bony or soft tissue damage. The Gustilo-Anderson grading scale is a widely-accepted system used to classify open tibia fractures. Soft tissue damage is less than 1 cm in diameter for a Grade I fracture, 1-10 cm in diameter for a Grade II fracture, and larger than 10 cm for a Grade III fracture, which involves the periosteum and wound contamination.
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