The Treatment Results in Site of Tibia Fracture Treated with Interlocking Intramedullary Nail

Bae, Ki Cheor; Lee, Kyoung Rak

Abstract

Intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice for most diaphyseal fractures of the tibia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the result of tibia fractures treated with interlocking intramedullary nail, according to different sites of fractures. From september 2004 to august 2012, 106 cases of tibia fracture with a minimum follow up until bony union were selected and analyzed retrospectively. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 24.5 months. The location of fractures were divided into three groups, proximal (n = 18), mid (n = 42), distal (n = 46). Delayed union, mal-alignment and additional operation were investigated. The number of angle change over 5 degrees in the coronal plane and 10 degrees in the sagittal plane were 7 cases in proximal, 7 cases in mid, and 12 cases in distal with statistic significance. And an additional operation was required in 6 patients in proximal fracture, 2 patients in mid fracture, and 7 patients in distal fracture during bony union. Conclusively, intramedullary nailing in proximal and distal tibia fracture showed higher delayed union rate and could result in excessive angle change due to mal-alignment. Therefore, proximal level or distal level tibia fractures need more accurate reduction of fracture than midshaft level would need more accurate reduction of fracture and observe bony union through regularly radiography examination.