Between July 1983 and December 1986 50 fractures of the tibia were treated by osteosynthesis with two crossed Ender nails and plaster or functional bracing. There was only one case of pseudarthrosis; in 6 cases there was axial deviation not exceeding 5 degrees and shortening not exceeding 6 mm. In our opinion this procedure has many biological and mechanical advantages with a minimal risk of infection (none in our series). A plastic functional orthosis has proved to be particularly suitable as an adjunct to Ender nailing. Fractures of the leg so treated have in fact acquired sufficient mechanical stability to allow early walking.