Fractures of the tibia shaft treated with locked intramedullary nail

Background: The gold standard treatment for complex fractures of tibial shaft is the reamed interlocking intramedullary nail. There has been some controversies about dynamization of statically locked nail, and some authors recommend routine dynamization for promotion of healing. This study evaluates the treatment of complex fractures of tibia shaft with static and dynamic interlocking intramedullary nail method.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we studied 100 patients treated in Clinical Emergency Hospital Constanta between April 2012 - July 2013 diagnosed with tibia and fibula shaft fractures. They were treated by external fixation, and intramedullary nail. The intramedullary nail was blocked distally static or dynamic.

Results: All patients achieved union during 12-18 weeks. The need of dynamization was required at 23 patients after 10 weeks from osteosynthesis.

No significant complication was observed in our patients. Alignment of tibial fracture was perfect in all patients without any shortening and rotation.

Conclusion: Locked intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice for fractures of the tibial shaft.