Compartment Syndrome following Intramedullary Nail Fixation in Closed Tibial Shaft Fractures

@#Introduction: Compartment syndrome complicating intramedullary nailing of closed tibia fractures has been described as early as the 1980s, but currently remains less described in literature compared to compartment syndrome directly following trauma. This study aims to review this potentially disabling complication and highlight the importance of timely diagnosis and management of compartment syndrome following fracture fixation, not just after fracture itself, via a review of three cases. Material and methods: A retrospective study of a series of three cases was conducted. The type of fracture, wait time to fixation, surgery duration, reaming, size of nail implant used, tourniquet time, and surgical technique were recorded. Time to diagnosis of compartment syndrome, compartment pressure if available, extent of muscle necrosis, reconstructive procedures performed, and post-operative complications were analysed. Results: The three cases following high-energy trauma from road traffic accidents presented from January to May 2010. Compartment syndrome was diagnosed clinically for all cases, between one to six days post-operatively and supported by elevated compartment pressure measurements in two of the three cases. Conclusion: This study advocates thorough clinical monitoring and maintaining strong clinical suspicion of compartment syndrome in patients even after intramedullary nail fixation of tibial shaft fractures to achieve timely limbsalvaging intervention. While intercompartmental pressure can be used to aid in diagnosis, we do not advise using it in isolation to diagnose compartment syndrome. Tendon transfer improves functional mobility and provides a good result in patients with severe muscle damage, while skin grafting sufficient in patients with minimal muscle damage.

Comparison of cannulated screwing versus plating in combination with interlocking intramedullary nailing for ipsilateral discontinuous fractures of tibial shaft and plateau / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical effects between cannulated screwing and plating in combination with interlocking intramedullary nailing for the treatment of ipsilateral discontinuous fractures of the tibial shaft and plateau.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of the clinical data of 34 patients who had been treated for ipsilateral discontinuous fractures of the tibial shaft and plateau at Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to January 2020. There were 17 males and 17 females, aged from 26 to 60 years (average, of 43.6 years). The left side was affected in 18 cases and the right side in 16. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their internal fixation methods: a cannulated screw group of 16 cases treated with cannulated screwing and intramedullary nailing and a plate group of 18 cases treated with plating and intramedullary nailing. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, tibial plateau collapse, consumables cost, hospital stay, fracture healing time, weight-bearing time, range of knee motion, reduction of tibial plateau fracture by Rasmussen radiology, Lysholm knee function score at the last follow-up and complications.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing the 2 groups were comparable ( P>0.05). All the 34 patients were followed up for 12 to 28 months (average, 17.4 months). There was no significant difference either in operation time, hospital stay, tibial plateau healing time, tibial fracture healing time, weight-bearing time or range of knee motion between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). In the cannulated screw group, the intraoperative blood loss [(89.4 ± 14.5) mL] and consumables cost [(2.0 ± 0.2) ten thousand yuan] were significantly less than those in the plate group [(120.8 ± 22.1) mL and (2.6 ± 0.4) ten thousand yuan], the incision length [(4.1 ± 0.8) cm] was significantly shorter than that in the plate group [(7.1 ± 0.9) cm], and the Lysholm knee function score at the last follow-up [(89.8 ± 4.5) points] was significantly lower than that in the plate group [(93.0 ± 4.2 points] (all P<0.05). The difference was statistically significant between the 2 groups in the quality of tibial plateau reduction ( P<0.05). The postoperative tibial plateau collapse in the plate group [0.5 (0, 2) mm] was insignificantly less than that in the cannulated screw group [1.0 (0, 2) mm] ( P>0.05). In the cannulated screw group, one tibial shaft fracture did not achieve union after operation and deep vein thrombosis occurred in 2 cases after operation; in the plate group, 2 cases suffered from delayed wound healing, one from delayed fracture healing, one from deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity, and one from knee discomfort which was relieved after removal of internal fixation. Conclusions:In the treatment of ipsilateral discontinuous fractures of tibial shaft and plateau, both cannulated screwing and plating in combination with interlocking intramedullary nailing can achieve good clinical effects. Although plating in combination with intramedullary nailing lead to more severe trauma and higher costs, it is conducive to improving the reduction quality of the tibial plateau and postoperative functional recovery of the knee joint.

Application of lithotomy position in closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation for tibial shaft fracture / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To explore the application value of lithotomy position in the treatment of tibial shaft fracture with closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation. Methods: The clinical data of 78 patients with tibial shaft fractures treated with closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation between January 2015 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 33 patients were treated with lithotomy position (trial group) and 45 patients were treated with traditional supine position (control group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in general data such as gender, age, the cause of injury, the interval between injury and admission, the interval between injury and operation, and fracture type and site ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, the number of patients with open reduction, postoperative incision infection, and fracture healing were recorded. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Harris score were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results: Both groups of operations were successfully completed. The trial group was superior to the control group in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and the number of patients with open reduction ( P0.05). At 3 days after operation, the VAS score was lower in the trial group than in the control group, and the Harris scores of knee joint and ankle joint were higher in the trial group than in the control group, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion: Application of lithotomy position in closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation for tibial shaft fracture is favorable for fracture reduction, with less bleeding, shorter operation time, and fewer fluoroscopy.

Evaluation of the Treatment of GustiloIiia Open Tibial Shaft Fracture TransosseousOsteosynthesis Technique with Ilizarov External Fixator

Background: Fractures of the tibial shaft are important for tworeasons. The first is that they are common, the second is thatthey are controversial - and anything that is both common andcontroversial must be important. Fractures of the shaft of thetibia cannot be treated by following simple sets of rules.Because of its location tibia is exposed to frequent injury and itis the most commonly fractured long bone.Objective: To evaluate the treatment of open tibial shaftfracture of Gustilo IIIA grade by Trans osseous osteosynthesistechnique with Illizarov External Fixator as a primary anddefinite mode of treatment.Methods: Clinical trial (Quasi Experimental study) fromJanuary 2009 to June 2010 (18 months) at National Institute ofTraumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Purposivesampling was done according to availability of the patients andstrictly considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria andsample size was 17 no of cases.Results: 14 male and 1 female patient between 17 and 51years were studied. Most common age group in this serieswere 26-35 year age group ((53.33%) and average age of thepatients was 30 years with SD of ±8.67. Most of the patientswere male and road traffic accident was the leading cause ofinjury (70.58%). Left side involved in (58.82%) most of thecases and 2 patients had bilateral fractures. Commonest site ofthe fractures were middle third (58.82%) of the tibia. Most ofthe fractures were comminuted type of fractures (47.05%).Most of the patients were operated on the day of admissionand in some cases within 4 - 7 days of admission. Averageduration of hospital stay was 8.06 days ranging from 1 day to28 days. Total duration of treatment was average 186.66 days(26 weeks) highest 291 days (42 weeks) and lowest 140 days(20 weeks). Most of the patient had soft tissue healing bygranulation tissue formation (35.29%). Others were treated byprimary closure, Delayed primary closure, secondary closure,partial thickness skin grafting.Conclusion: In this study the results of open tibia fracture(Gustilo IIIA) by Transosseous osteosynthesis technique withIlizarov External Fixator has been found to be satisfactory.Though there were a few minor complications with the fixatorthe dynamisation and compressing ability of this stable frameprovided good union without any second surgical procedure orbone grafting and prevented any malunion.

Open reduction and osteosynthesis of common minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis in treat-ment of high energy tibial fracture / 中国基层医药

Objective To open the reset common bone and open ordinary osteosynthesis(MIPPO)(in effect in the treatment of high energy tibial fracture.Methods High energy tibial fracture in 42 cases of patients,according to the condition of the patient and the treatment were divided into two groups,using open reduction and bone treatment (open group,22 cases),treated with MIPPO technique(MIPPO group,20 cases).The indicators of operation,postop-erative complications and clinical efficacy of the two groups were observed.Results The operation time,intraopera-tive bleeding volume,fracture healing time of the MIPPO group were (75.2 ±9.7)min,(107.3 ±11.3)mL,(13.1 ± 3)weeks,which of the open group were (73.4 ±10)min,(208.5 ±16.3)mL,(18.2 ±4.7)weeks,the two groups had no statistically significant differences in operative time(P >0.05),two groups of blood loss,fracture healing time, the differences were statistically significant(t =23.153,4.143,all P <0.05);the complication rate in the MIPPO group was 10.0%,tibial shaft fracture healing function excellent rate was 95.0%.The complication rate of the open groupwas healing function excellent rate was 72.7%,36.4% tibial shaft fracture,there were significant differences between the two groups(χ2 =12.316,22.964,all P <0.01).Conclusion MIPPO technology in the treatment of high energy tibial shaft fractures,with less bleeding,fracture healing fast,and the characteristics of a significant effect, which is worth promoting.

Effect comparison between minimally invasive percutaneous plate fixation and open reduction internal fixation on patients with tibial shaft fracture / 中国医学装备

Objective: To analyze the effect between minimally invasive percutaneous plate fixation and open reduction internal fixation on patients with Tibial shaft fracture. Methods:Chosen patients with tibial shaft fracture as research subjects, randomly divided observed groups receiving minimally invasive percutaneous plate fixation and control group receiving open reduction internal fixation, detecing surgery-related indicators, AKSS knee score and adverse conditions incidence. Results:1)After surgery, surgery time and total hospital stay of observation group patients were significantly shorter than control group patients, blood loss was significantly less than control group patients (P<0.05);2)After surgery, patients AKSS knee function scores were significantly higher than control group patients(P<0.05);3)After surgery, observation group patients’ adverse events incidence was significantly lower than control group patients (P<0.05). Conclusion:Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis can effectively optimize the surgical procedure to improve postoperative joint function and reduce adverse events healing is ideal tibia fracture mode of operation.

A comparative study of patients with tibial shaft fracture underwent interlocking intramedullary nail postoperative between dynamization and non-dynamization / 重庆医学

Objective To prospectively compare the clinical outcome of dynamization and non-dynamization of interlocking intr-amedullary nail on union of tibial shaft fractures (fracture gap0 .05];16 weeks after internal fixation surgery ,VAS score of the dynamization group was statistically higher than that of the non-dynamization group [(4 .1 ± 0 .6) vs .(2 .3 ± 0 .8) ,t=16 .100 ,P<0 .05];the knee pain rate of the dynamization group was statistically higher than that of the non-dynamization group (28 .7% vs .12 .9% ,χ2 =5 .764 ,P<0 .05) .Conclusion When treating tibial shaft fractures with closed reduction and intramedullary nail fixation ,the main fracture gap<2 .0 mm ,early dynamization didn′t have any advantage .

Anterior Knee Pain after Intramedullary Nailing for Tibial Shaft Fractures

PURPOSE: To analyze the possible causes and incidence of the chronic anterior knee pain follow after closed intramedullary nailing for the tibial shaft fractures, in a retrospective aspect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 patients who treated with intramedullary nailing for the tibial shaft fractures from January 2001 to October 2008 were reviewed. We analyzed the relationship between knee pain and the variables (sex, age, types of fracture, protrusion extent of intramedullary nailing on proximal tibia). The aspects of pain, its onset and relieving time, and how much it influences on daily living were analyzed retrospectively. For categorical variables, group variences were estimated using Chi-square test. RESULTS: 34 patients of 52 (65%) complaint of anterior knee pain followed after intramedullary nailing, and there were no statistical differences between pain and sex/age (p>0.05). Incidence of anterior knee pain becomes higher as the severity of fracture increases, but there was no statistical difference between pain and intramedullary nailing protrusion. Pain severity was mostly not influencing on daily living, and it mostly responded to conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: The incidence of anterior knee pain followed after intramedullary nailing was 65%, and its severity was mostly not influencing on daily living. There were no significant differences between pain and sex, age, protrusion extent of intramedullary nailing on proximal tibia, but as the severity of frature increases, the incidence of anterior knee pain became higher.

The curative effects of intramedullary interlocking nailand small incision for the treatment of tibial shaft fracture / 中国基层医药

Objective To evaluate the clinical applied effects of tibial shaft fracture with intramedullary interlocking nail and small incision. Methods From November 2004 to October 2005,47 cases of tibial shaft fracture were treated with intramedullary interlocking nail, all the cases were adopted with small incision and intramedullary interlocking nail, and analysed the curative effects Results 47 cases were followed-up ranged 8 ～ 27 months. All cases resumed normal knee function 6 to 12 weeks after operation,without nonunion and malunion. Conclusion Treatment of tibial shaft fracture with intramedullary interlocking nail and small incision had the advantages of little trauma,good stability, high rate of fracture union and rapid functions recovery. It is worthy deserveed to be put into application and populatization in clinics.

The Comparison of Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis and Intramedullary Nailing in the Treatment of the Proximal and Distal Tibia Fracture

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of the surgical treatment through the comparison of Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO) and Intramedullary (IM) nailing in the treatment of the tibial shaft fractures expended to metaphysis retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with proximal or distal third fracture of tibial shaft from May 2003 to Aug. 2006 were divided into two groups depending on the surgical method. Group A consisted of 30 patients treated with IM nailing, Group B was 29 patients treated with MIPO. The clinical outcomes were evaluated retrospectively from the time for bone union and callus formation confirmed by X-ray, functional score of knee or ankle joint, and complications including nonunion, malalignment and infection. RESULTS: Bone union was seen radiologically at a mean of 17.4 weeks in group A, and 17.0 weeks in group B. In postoperative complications, group A showed two nonunion, two delayed-union, six malalignment, and two wound infection while group B showed only one delayed-union and one wound infection. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the time for bony union and functional score between IM nailing and MIPO. Conventional IM nailing with only interlocking technique showed higher incidence of malalignment and deformity than MIPO for the treatment of the proximal or distal third fracture of the tibial shaft.

Resultado funcional de las fracturas diafisiarias de tibia tratadas con clavo intramedular y placa / Functional oucomme of tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nail and plate

Objetivo Determinar el resultado funcional de las fracturas cerradas de la diáfisis tibial tipo A tratadas con clavo intramedular y placa, en el servicio de Traumatología del hospital Obrero N° 1, durante las gestiones 2003 a 2008. Material y métodos Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con tamaño muestral de 28 casos. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante revisión de los expedientes clínicos y la evaluación funcional mediante la escala de Karstrom - Olerud modificada. El procesamiento de datos se realizó con el paquete estadístico SPSS 11.5. Resultados El resultado funcional de las fracturas diafisarias de tibia tipo A tratadas con clavo intramedular fue excelente en 50% (7 casos) y bueno en 50% (7 casos); las tratadas con placa tuvieron resultado excelente en 42,9% (6 casos), bueno 50% (7 casos), regular 7,1% (1 caso). El tiempo de apoyo con clavo intramedular fue 2-4 meses en 57,1% (8 casos), 4-6 meses en 28,6% (4 casos) y mayor a 6 meses en 14,3% (2 casos); con placa 50% (7 casos) apoyaron en 2-4 meses, 35,7% (5 casos) en 4-6 meses y 14,3% (2 casos) más de 6 meses. Conclusión El resultado funcional de las fracturas diafisarias de tibia se relaciona con el tipo de implante, siendo el clavo intramedular el que mejor resultado funcional obtuvo en relación a la placa; además el tiempo de apoyo fue menor con el clavo intramedular; por lo que se recomienda el uso de este tipo de implante en el tratamiento de este tipo de fracturas.

Objective To determine the functional outcome in closed fractures of the tibial shaft type A treated with intramedullary nail and plate at the Orthopedics and Traumatology service of the Hospital Obrero No. 1 during 2003 to 2008. Material and methods Cross sectional study with sample size of 28. Data collection was conducted by reviewing medical records and by functional assessment scale Karstrom - Olerud modified. Data processing is performed with the SPSS 11.5 statistical package. Results Functional outcome of tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nail was excellent in 50% (7 cases) and good in 50% (7 cases); those treated with plate had excellent result in 42.9% (6 cases), well 50% (7 cases), regular 7.1% (1 case). Support time with intramedullary nail was 2-4 months in 57.1% (8 cases), 4-6 months, 28.6% (4 cases) and more than 6 months in 14.3% (2 cases); plate 50% (7 cases) supported in 2-4 months, 35.7% (5 cases) in 4-6 months and 14.3% (2 cases) more than 6 months. Conclusion Functional outcome of tibial shaft fractures is related to the type of implant, with the intramedullary nail which got better functional outcome in relation to the plate, plus support time was less with the intramedullary nail, so it is recommended using this type of implant in the treatment of such fractures.

Anterior Knee Pain after Intramedullary Tibial Nailing / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To document the incidence and analyze the causes of anterior knee pain following closed intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and February 2007, 50 tibial fractures (48 patients) were treated using locked intramedullary nails. We examined the relationship between postoperative anterior knee pain and age, gender distribution, mechanism of injury, cause and type of fracture, method of patellar tendon incision, and position of the nails on radiography. Anterior knee pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the incidence of knee pain. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up period of 16 months (range 13-30 months), 23 cases (46%) had developed anterior knee pain. Knee pain was more common in woman (p=0.000), but there was no statistically significant difference with regard to age, cause or type of fracture, reaming or incision technique. If the knee apex distance was below -30 mm on radiological analysis, there was no statistically significant increase in postoperative knee pain (p=0.000). Nail removal resolved or improved the symptoms in 77% of patients with anterior knee pain. CONCLUSION: Based on these data, nail prominence correlated with increased knee pain. We believe surgeons can decrease the severity of knee pain after tibial nailing by burying the tip of the nail as reflected on lateral radiographs.

Overgrowth Following TibialShaft Fractures in Children / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To assess the comparative growth of the four long bones of the lower extremities after the tibial shaft fractures in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight children (age, 8.2+/-2.6) with tibial shaft fractures treated with a closed reduction and a long leg cast were enrolled in this study. The mean follow-up was 54.4 months (range, 24-96). The medical records and Bell-Thompson images were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The clinical results were excellent in all cases. The fractured tibia showed overgrowth (4.4+/-3.3 mm) compared with the contralateral side. The ipsilateral femur showed mild over-growth (0.9 mm+/-3.7), and the final leg length discrepancy was 5.3 mm+/-5.4. Four ipsilateral femurs showed overgrowth >10 mm. Gender, the level of the fractures and associated fibular fractures did not affect the overgrowth of the fractured tibia (p>0.05). However, age might affect the amount of overgrowth (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Tibial shaft fractures in children treated with a long leg cast showed variable overgrowth. The final leg length discrepancy was influenced by the overgrowth of the ipsilateral femur as well as by overgrowth of the tibia.

Reamed versus Unreamed Interlocking Intramedullary Nailing in the Treatment of Femoral and Tibial Shaft Fracture

PURPOSE: To comparative analysis of clincal difference between reamed and unreamed interlocking intramedullary nailing in the treatment of femoral and tibial shaft fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed femoral and tibial shaft fracture who were treated with reamed or unreamed nail. They were followed for a minimum of 16 months. Winquist-Hansen and Johner-Wruhs criteria were applied for the classification of the fractures. Retrospectively we evaluated the duration of operation, the amount of bleeding, the first time of callus formation, union time, the time of partial weight bearing, isthmic ratio, complications. RESULTS: The average duration of operation for femoral fractures with reamed and unreamed nail were 104 minutes, 95 minutes, respectively. And those for tibial fractures were 96 minutes, 87 minutes, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The amount of bleeding in femoral fractures with reamed and unreamed nail were 360 ml, 223 ml, respectively. And those in tibial fractures were 280 ml, 205 ml, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The isthmic ratio in femoral fracture with reamed and unreamed nail were 105.5%, 87.0%, respectively and those in tibial fracture were 106.3%, 85.3%, respectively. There were 2 delayed unions in femoral fractures and 1 delayed union in tibial fracture with unreamed nail, and 1 metal failure in tibial fracture with unreamed nail. CONCLUSION: Unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing involves fewer steps and less intraoperative blood loss than reamed nailing. There was no statistical difference the first time of callus formation, union time, the time of partial weight bearing. It must be consider that delayed union and metal failure in the unreamed intramedullary nailing due to high grade fracture, lower isthmic ratio, combined with multiple trauma.

Strategy for aseptic shaft nonunion of the lower extremities after intramedullary nailing:internal bone grafting combined with blocking screws / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To analyze the causes for aseptic shaft nonunion of the lower extremities after intramedullary nailing and to observe the therapeutic effects on bone nonunion by the combined technique of internal bone grafting with blocking screws.[Method]In 12 patients suffering from shaft aseptic nonunion of the low extremities(femur:5 cases;tibia:7 cases;hypertrophic nonunion: 8 cases;atrophic nonunion:4 cases),the therapeutic effects of the method of stabilizing the bone segments(exchanging larger nailing plus blocking screws technique),correcting bone deformity(blocking screws technique plus reduction finger) and reinforcing the bone healing capacity(internal bone grafting technique) were observed respectively.[Result]All patients were followed up for 1-2 years(mean 1.5 years) and all nonunions healed.The union rate was 100% and the period required to achieve union was 4.7-13.5 months(mean 7.8 months).All patients felt no pain at last and no complication occured.[Conclusion]Internal bone grafting combined with blocking screws is an effective treatment for aseptic nonunion of the lower extremities after intramedullary nailing.

Analysis of causes of postoperative anterior knee pain after intramedullary nailing freatment for tibial shaft fractures / 中国矫形外科杂志

[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.

Instability of Knee Associated with Ipsilateral Femoral and Tibial Shaft Fractures

PURPOSE: To establish the incidence, type and significance of knee instability in patients with ipsilateral femoral and tibial shaft fracture, comparing with the patients with femoral shaft or tibial shaft fracture alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundreds and seventy-nine consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed from February 2000 to April 2004. They were composed of 80 patients with femoral shaft fracture alone, 176 patients with tibial shaft fracture alone and 23 patient with ipsilateral femoral and tibial shaft fracture. We evaluate the instability of knee based on physical examinations, plain stress films and MRI. We analyze incidence and period to diagnosis of instability, period to complete bony union and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score respectively. RESULTS: There were 6.3% of knee instability in femoral shaft fracture alone, 9.7% in tibial shaft fracture alone and 30.4% in ipsilateral femoral and tibial shaft fracture. The average period to diagnosis of instability, average period to complete bony union and average HSS knee score were 9.2 months, 4.7 months and 65 points in femoral shaft fracture alone, 9.1 months, 4.2 months and 69 points in tibial shaft fracture alone, 8.7 months, 5.3 months (femur), 4.7 months (tibia) and 57 points in ipsilateral femoral and tibial shaft fracture respectively. CONCLUSION: We should consider MRI to evaluate the knee instability in patient with ipsilateral femoral and tibial shaft fracture at the time of injury and make a plan early about the treatment of knee instability.

A research into early dynamization of interlocking intramedullary nail for treatment of tibial shaft fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To retrospectively evaluate effects of early dynamization of interlocking intramedullary nail on union of tibial shaft fractures.Methods From January 2002 to Septemher 2004,75 patients with tibial shaft fractures were treated in our department with internal fixation using static interlocking iutramedullary nails.Early dy- namization(6 to 10 weeks postoperative)was adopted in 32 patients (the dynamic group) according to the fracture con- ditions,while the other 43 patients were treated without early dynamization (the non-dynamic group).The healing time of fractures and the rate of delayed union in both groups were documented.Results All the cases were followed up for a mean duration of 6.5 months (range,4 to 13 months).The mean healing time was 115.6 days (range,105 to 126 days) in the dynamic group and 124.5 days (range,119 to 133 days) in the non-dynamic group.The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P＜0.05).There were two cases (6.2%) of delayed union in the dynamic group and four (9.4%) in the non-dynamic group.The difference was not significant (P＞0.05). Conclusion Early dynamization of interlocking intramedullary nail can promote union of tibial shaft fractures.

A clinical study on postoperative knee pain following treatment of tibial shaft fracture by intramedullary nailing / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To study the incidence and etiology of knee pain in patients with tibial shaft fracture after intramedullary nailing treatment. Methods From Jan 1997 to Dec 2002, 1332 patients with tibial shaft fracture were treated with intramedullary nailing in our hospital. Their clinical data were retrospectively studied. All the patients were followed up at least once after fracture healing, and the average clinical follow up duration was 27 months. Results 409 of the 1332 cases experienced knee pain. 31.9 percent of the patients treated with transtendinous nailing reported anterior knee pain, and 28.9 percent of the patients treated with paratendinous nailing reported knee pain. Conclusion Compared with the transpatellar tendon approach, the paratendinous approach for nail insertion does not reduce the incidence of anterior knee pain.

Prognostic Indicators in Tibial Shaft Fractures ; Serum Creatine Kinase Acticity / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Serum creatine phosphokinase(CPK) levels were measured serially in 20 adults with closed tibial shaft fractures, CPK activity increased significantly after fracture(p < 0.01). High energy and delayed healing fractures had significantly higher levels of CPK than low energy and normally healing fractures, respectively. Thus, CPK determinations could be used to assess the severity of trauma and possible prognosis of the healing in tibial shaft fractures.