Intramedullary nailing in distal tibial fracture

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the results obtained with intramedullary nailing in patients with fracture of the distal third of the tibia. Methods The inclusion criteria of this study were skeletally mature patients with displaced fractures of the distal tibia treated with intramedullary nail with a minimum follow up of one year. Gustilo III open fractures and type C fractures of the AO classification (complete articular Stroke) were excluded. The sample comprised 35 patients remained. The follow-up was 29.2 months. We evaluated the time of consolidation, malunion and complications. The functional results were described according to the AOFAS score. Results Of the 35 patients with fracture of the distal third of the tibia all of them presented fracture healing. The average time to union was 17.2 weeks (range: 11-26). Of the total sample, 5 patients had delayed union, requiring dynamic nail on average at 12 weeks. The malunion was present in 4 (11.4%) patients. We found no difference (p = 0.201) in the time to union between fractures associated with fractures of the fibula treated (13sem) or not (17sem). The AOFAS score was 86 points. Conclusion Intramedullary nailing with multiple distal locks like a good alternative treatment for distal tibia fractures AO type A or B, with low complication rate and a high rate of consolidation.

Keywords

• Fractura tibia distal
• Enclavado endomedular. Distal tibial fracture
• intramedullarynailing.