A tibial shaft fracture is a severe injury that frequently necessitates surgery. The tibia is a big shin bone that sits between the knee and the ankle. In medical words, this section of the body is referred to as the leg. A tibial shaft fracture is a break in the middle of the tibia. Such an injury can be difficult to diagnose because there are no obvious signs of pain or damage. The bone may appear to be simply fractured or it may be splintered in multiple pieces. Tibial shaft fractures are common injuries associated with high energy trauma. They account for about 20% of all long bone fractures. The bones of the leg are particularly susceptible to injury due to their relative lack of muscle support and their role in supporting the body's weight. The fibula, another big bone in the leg, tends to bend instead of breaking easily so people often walk off or roll over such fractures. The main symptom of a tibial shaft fracture is pain on bending the knee. The area may feel warm, and bruising may occur. If not treated properly, these fractures can lead to arthritis. Other serious complications include open wounds inside the bone that cannot be healed, nerve damage, and blood vessel damage. Tibial shaft fractures can be treated either surgically or non-surgically.