Tibial shaft fractures are common injuries in the pediatric population, and can be treated conservatively the vast majority of the time. Yet, it is important to recognize that open and/or unstable tibial shaft fractures represent a different entity. Rigid intramedullary devices are generally contraindicated because of the skeletal immaturity of these patients, and external fixation is associated with a high complication rate. As a result, flexible nailing is being utilized with increasing frequency. It is essential for the clinician to understand the pearls and pitfalls associated with the utilization of these flexible nails; particularly in regards to their immediate use in the context of open fractures and the risk of compartment syndrome postoperatively after fixation.