Long-Term Results of Tibial Shaft Fractures Treated with Intramedullary Nailing

Tibial shaft fracture is the most common fractures of long bones. The aim of this study was to report the short-term results of intramedullary (IM) nailing in tibial shaft fractures in emergency setting. In a prospective study، 226 cases (193 men، 33 women) treated with IM nailing during 2 years (2009-2011) in a training hospital in Rasht-Iran، and followed for two years. The mean age was 34±3 years old. We investigated for open or closed fractures، accompanied with fibular fractures، proneal nerve or anterior tibialis artery injury، degenerative changes in knee joint، knee pain، atrophy of quadericeps muscle، malunion، chronic osteomyelitis، delayed union، and nonunion. Short musculoskeletal function assessment questionnaire (SMFA) was also completed and the data were analysed by statistical software. There were 151 Open fractures and 75 closed fractures. Open procedure was used in 155 cases and closed one in 71 cases. Knee pain was the most frequenct and non union the least common complication. Musculoskeletal limitation appeared more in open fractures and in association with fibular fracture and was more in female than male patients (p<. 001). SMFA score also raised by passing time. Intramedullary nailing is a proper and effective method in emergency treatment of tibial shaft fractures.