Tibial Shaft fractures treated with closed intramedullary nailing, a short-term outcome

Abstract EN

Conducted a study to evaluate the short-term functional outcomes of patients with an isolated tibial shaft fracture treated with locked intramedullary nailing.

using a prospective clinical and radiographic assessment, for union time, time of starting full weight bearing, rate of infection, knee and ankle joint movement, knee joint pain, and misalignment.

Patients and Methods : We had included 56 patients with isolated tibia fractures from our patients prospectively followed up in period between Febr.2006 and December 2008 (34 months).

56 patients agreed to present to our timetable of follow up, 4 patient lost after 3 months of follow up.

We had a median follow-up of 10 months.

With a range from 6 to 18 months.

All patients were initially acutely treated with locked intramedullary nailing of their tibia within 48 hours of getting injured.

All enrolled patients were evaluated with Functional assessment, and were evaluated radio graphically and by physical examination.

Results : Of the total number (56 patients), 15 (26.7 %) patients had at least moderate knee pain.

6 patients out of 52 (11 %) got knee joint stiffness.

whereas 2 patients (4 %) had ankle joint stiffness, both groups treated by a physiotherapy course.

in 90 % of the patients, mean time of union was 15 weeks ranged from 12- 24 weeks.

After getting union those patients started full weight bearing.

Totally 4 patients got superficial wound infection (7 %).

(12 %) got misalignment, all were in proximal and distal1/3.

Conclusions : We see that locked intramedullary nailing is a suitable procedure for unstable fractures of tibial shaft.

In contrast to open reduction and internal fixation, intramedullary nailing can be performed initially on the first or second day of admission.

The advantages of IM nailing include better alignment, earlier range of motion of knee and ankle, better mobility of patient, less frequent follow up visits, and earlier return to work.