Outcome of Tibial Shaft Fractures Treated by Close Intramedullary Nail

Tibia is the most commonly fractured long bone in the body with an annual incidence of tibial shaft fractures 2 per 1000 individuals. The use of non-operative treatment of tibial fractures that are widely displaced or that are the result of high-energy forces is associated with a high prevalence of malunion, stiffness of the joint, and poor functional outcome. Closed Tibial diaphyseal fractures have been internally fixed with Plates or with Intramedullary fixation devices like centromedullary nails (K-nails, Vnails), Interlocking intramedullary nails (Reamed or Unreamed). Interlock nailing has proven to be the method of choice for fixation of these fractures. The aim of current study was to determine the rate of success of reamed interlocking nail in treatment of tibial diaphyseal fracture. The study design was descriptive case series. The study was done in orthopaedic unit-I of Jinnah Hospital Lahore from 01/01/2011 to 30/09/2011. Most of the patients were found between 29(44.62%) between 31-40 years of age, 21(32.31%) between 20-30 years, 11(16.92%) were between 41-50 years, and only 4(6.15%) were recorded between 50-60 years, mean and sd was recorded as 31.32±4.93, 43(55.15%) were male and 22(33.85%) were female, 54(83.08%) were excellent and 11(16.92%) were good. The results of the current study reveal that reamed interlocking nail in treatment of tibial diaphyseal fracture is successful and may be recommended as a stable fixation with early return to work.