A Clinical Study of closed Flexible IM Nail for Fractures of Distal one - third of the Tibia

Yoon, Hyung Ku; Jeon, Kwang Pyo; Oh, Kuk Hwan; Kim, Dong Jun; Jung, Ki Dong

Abstract

Fractures of the tibia are frequently encountered in mordern civilized society. Especially, those in distal 1/3 of the tibia have so many problems, such as angular deformity, osteomyelitis and nonunion because of anatomically scanty soft tissue. Many modalities of the treatment of fracture of distal 1/3 of the tibia were introduced. Among them, interlocking IM nailings were considered as one of the best modality. But, in interlocking IM nail, reaming of the medullary canal which destroys the endosteal circulation and causes thermal necrosis of the inner aspect of the cortical bone results in delayed union. And also, procedure for distal screw fixation is difficult and time-consuming. As for using flexible IM nails for fractures of distal 1/3 of the tibia, it was considered as not so satisfactory method due to lack of stability of fixation. However, the stability of fixation can be strengthened with fanning of the nails in distal fragment, using more than 3 nails and delay the protected weight bearing. Authors studied 25 cases of fractures of distal 1/3 of the tibia treated with closed flexible IM nailing at Sung Ae General Hospital, from July., 1987 to July., 1989, and obtained following results: 1. Among 25 cases, 4th decades were most common and males were more commonly involved. 2. Traffic accidents were the most common causes of injury and majority of 16 open fractures and 19 comminuted fractures, were caused by high energy mechanism. Among open fractures, type II were most common. 3. Two angular deformities less than 10 degrees, one proximal migration and one checkrein deformity were observed as complications, but, no clinically significant complications were noted. 4. The time for radiological union were 14.5 weeks in group without fibular fracture and 15.1 weeks in group with fibular fracture, and 14.0 weeks in closed fracture group and 17.2 weeks in open fracture group, and average in 15.6 weeks.