The Use of Ender nails in Distal Tibial Fractures

Moon, Myung Sang; Ha, Kee Yong; Kim, Hyung Gun

Abstract

Fracture of distal one third of tibia is prone to develop angular deformity during weight bearing and delayed union by inadequate immobilization. Most surgeons have performed internal fixation with plate and screws or interlocking Kuentscher nail to provide stability to the fractured tibia. When open reduction and internal fixation is carried out, the periosteum and muscular attachments must be stripped off. And in interlocking Kuentschernailing extraoperative time needed to insert distal screw, and the medullary reaming destroys nutrient circulation by which fracture healing is hindered. However, flexible Ender nailing is a simple procedure which does not necessitate reaming, and also does not disrupt or strip off soft tissues at the fracture site. Authors carried out Ender nailing in 16 patients having distal tibial fractures who were treated at the Orthopaedic Department, Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital from February, 1985 to December, 1988. The results are as follows: 1. The radiological union was obtained at 13.3 weeks after operation, and primary healing was taken place. 2. Fractures could be securely fixed by intramedullary Ender nailing. 3. Mild angulation developed in 3 cases, but it did not affect the results. Through the results Ender nailing is proven to be an effective, reliable, and safe method in treatment of fracture of the distal one third of tibia with minimum residua and complication, and brings the natural fracture healing.