Suprapatellar nailing for treatment of segmental tibial fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the therapeutic advantages of suprapatellar nailing for treatment of segmental tibial fractures. Methods Twenty-one tibial segmental fractures were managed and followed-up regularly in our hospital from March 2012 to August 2018. They were 15 males and 6 females, with an average age of 46.0 years (range, from 26 to 71 years). There were 13 cases of type Ⅰ,4 cases of type Ⅱ, 2 cases of typeⅢand 2 cases of typeⅣ, according to Melis classification. There were totally 10 open fractures (5 cases of type Ⅰ, 2 cases of type Ⅱ, one case of type ⅢA and 2 cases of type ⅢB, according to Gustilo classification). All the cases received closed reduction and internal fixation with suprapatellar locked tibial nailing of the third generation. Non-weight-bearing exercises of the knee and ankle and muscular strength training for the low ex-tremity commenced 3 days after internal fixation. The knee functions were evaluated postoperatively using the Lysholm knee scoring. Results All the 21 cases were followed up for 10 to 36 months (average, 17.8 months; more than 3 times during at least 10 months). X-ray revealed occurrence of the callus from 2 to 11 months (average, 7.1 months) after operation. One case of nonunion occurred at the tibial mid-shaft. There was no wound infection, soft tissue necrosis or osteomyelitis. Two cases complained of knee pain and 5 cases of ankle pain, with VAS scores ranging from 2 to 3. After symptomatic management, the knee pain was relieved in 2 cases after 5 months and the ankle pain was relieved in 3 cases. The average Lysholm score 10 months after surgery was 95 points (range, from 87 to 99 points). Conclusion Suprapatellar nailing is an effective treatment for segmental tibial shaft fractures, especially for those involving injuries to the metaphyseal region and peripatellar soft tissue, because it can provide effective fixation of the multiple metaphyseal fractures and avoid disadvantages of conventional intramedullary nailing, leading to limited postoperative knee pain.