ABSTRACT
[Objective]To analyze the causes of anterior knee pain after intramedullary(IM) nailing treatment of tibial shaft fractures.[Method]A total of 256 patients with tibial shaft fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing from 2000 to 2007 in our hospital.There were 183 males and 73 females with a mean age of 45 years.All patients were followed up at least once after fracture healing.[Result]Among 256 patients,166 experienced anterior knee pain,accounting for 65%.Ninety-six(58%) treated with transtendinous nailing complained of and 70(42%) treated with paratendinous nailing complained of anterior knee pain.It was worsened after activity but relieved only in 33(20%) by resting or taking analgesic drugs.The anterior knee pain disappeared one year after the IM nailing was taken out.[Conclusion]Anterior knee pain can not be reduced by different approaches of operation for tibial shaft fractures.However,the removal of intramedullary nailing and the muscle exercises around the knee joint can reduce the occurrence of anterior knee pain.