Closed Intra-Medullary Interlocking Nail Improves Surgical And Functional Outcome Of Diaphyseal Fracture Of Tibia – Our Experience

The managmenet of tibial fracture in adult is a challenge to orthopedic surgeons due to poor soft tissue coverage and blood supply. Although there are several treatment methods for tibial shaft fractures, no single method is appropriate for all types of tibial shaft fractures. Plate fixation and intramedullary nailing were two well-accepted and effective methods in the management of fracture tibia. In this study we have evaluated the surgical and functional outcome of intramedullary nailing for the treatment of closed diaphyseal fractures of the distal tibia. METHODS: This prospective study was done in 30 patients who had diaphyseal fractures of tibia were treated with closed interlocking nailing during the period of October 2010 to 2012 at a tertiary care hospital, Nellore over a period of 24 months. RESULTS: out of 30 patients 27 patients had united within 5 months of injury and 2 cases developed delayed union which united in 7 months and 1 case went into non-union. Whereas all the patients operated in this technique in which 21(70%) patients were with excellent, 6(20%) patients with good, 2 (7%) patients with better and one (3%) patient with poor functional outcome was evident. CONCLUSION: Closed interlocking intramedullary nailing showed a safe and quite effective for treatment of tibial diaphyseal fracture which allowed earlier return to work.