Interlocking Nailing for Tibial Fractures

Yang, Ick Hwan; Yang, Kyu Hyun; Han, Dae Yong; Park, Hui Wan; Oh, Hyun Cheol

Abstract

Nawadays, tibial fractures are not uncommon and those treatment methods are varied also. Recently interlocking nailing for tibial fracture is widely used. Between March 1992 and February 1994, 20 tibial fractures were treated with interlocking nail in 18 patients over 12 months follow up. The results were as follows: 1. Seventeen cases(85.0%) were able to perform active ROM exercise of knee and ankle within 1 week. Partial weight bearing for dynamic interlocking nailing, was allowed in 2.6 weeks(mean). For static interlocking nailing, weight bearing was allowed in 6.7 weeks. 2. The average operation time was 42 minutes, blood loss within 100ml. The fracture sites were not exposed. 3. Union without complications was achieved in 19 cases(95.0%) in average 12.8 weeks. One case needed a secondary operation later with Ilizarov external flxator due to reduction failure. 4. There was no nonunion or reduction loss after weitht bearing. 5. Complications were reduction failure, supeficial infections, and screw breakages. In conclusion, interlocking nailing for tibial fractures was gained good results with low complications and early weight bearing, leads to excellent results.