A study of outcome of surgical management of diaphyseal fractures of tibia treated with intramedullary interlock nailing

Abstract

Management of the fractures of the shaft of the tibia remained a controversial subject despite advances in both non-operative and operative care. Sir John Charnley stated that, “we have still a long way to go before the best method of treating a fracture of the shaft of tibia can be stated with finality” in 1961. Several published series regarding the treatment of fractures of the shaft of tibia have shown that closed treatment of fractures can have excellent results. But the drawbacks of prolonged healing time, malalignment and non-compliance of the patient has led to the thought of other modalities of treatment, finally resulting in the use of closed interlocking intramedullary nailing which has given excellent results. The method of closed nailing with or without reaming followed by early ambulation and weight-bearing has positive advantages over all existing methods, significantly lower complication rates and has comparable results. The intramedullary interlock nailing under image intensifier fulfills the objective of stable fixation with minimal tissue damage resulting in better and quicker fracture unions. The important aspects for its use are its ability to prevent axial collapse, rotational and angulation deformities and most important of all, being ealiest possible ambulation. The present study has been taken to review the results of diaphyseal fractures of tibia treated with intramedullary interlock nailing.