Treatment of Tibial shaft Fracture Using Flexible Intramedullary Nailing

Yang, Man Sik; Kim, Young Ho; Choi, Hee Soo; Kim, Yon Il; Rah, Soo Kyoon; Choi, Chang Uk

Abstract

There are many controversies concering primary treatment of fractures of the tibial shaft. Recently, flexible intramedullary nailing for the tibial shaft fracture has gained popularity, because of promotimg osteogenesis with early weight bearing and preventing ankylosis of the joints. Authors carried out retrospective study of the 142 tibial shaft fractures in 141 patients, and results were as analyzed. The results were as follow:l. Among 141 patients, 116 cases were male and 25 cases were female. The average age was 37 years and the most cause of injury was traffic accident. 2. The number of cases of closed and open fractures were 71 cases, respectively. The most common type of the fracture was comminuted and the level was middle third. 3. The number nails were inserted from two to five according to width of the medullary cavity and to gain of the stability after reduction at the fracture site. 4. Average bone union in X-ray was 17.8 weeks, 96 cases were united within 20 weeks and 43 cases were united after 21 weeks. 5. Complications were 3 cases of non-union and 17 cases of valgus deformity, within 12 degrees.