A Comparison according to Insertion Method for Intramedullary Nailing in Proximal Tibial Fractures

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare clinical and radiological results between standard insertion method and semiextended method which was designed to improve proximal fixation and alignment in proximal tibia fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review from May 2000 to February 2004, identified 24 extraarticular fractures in proximal tibia, initially treated with locked intramedullary nails at least 1 year follow up. There were 12 open injuries, 4 segmental, 3 butterfly fragments and 17 comminuted. Semiextended method was used in 10 fratures and standard insertion method which is cephalad to tibial tubercle in 14. Follow up clinical assessment consisted of review of associated injuries and complications and these two methods were compared by postoperative angulation and displacement in anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Data were analysed by t-tests. RESULTS: In semiextended group, average angulation was 2.3 degrees in coronal and 2.8 degrees in sagittal plane and average displacement was 4.5 mm in coronal and 5.3 mm in sagittal. In ordinary group, average angulation was 5.1 degrees in coronal and 7.4 degrees in sagittal plane and average displacement was 6.1 mm in coronal and 5.3 mm in sagittal. In semiextended group, there were significant reduction in coronal angulation (p=0.006) and sagittal angulation (p=0.001), but there was no significant difference in coronal (p=0.344) and sagittal (p=0.99) displacement. Both groups showed anterior, valgus angulation and posterolateral displacement in most cases. There were 14 associated injuries and one patient developed nonunion and was treated by nail exchange with autogenous bone graft. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective analysis demonstrated that semiextended method is effective for reducing coronal and sagittal angulation, but is not helpful for reducing displacement in both planes.