ABSTRACT
Background Tibia fractures are the most common lower extremity fractures. The subcutaneous anatomy of this long bone predisposes it to high fracture frequency in a high-energy trauma. The tibia is a major weight-bearing, long tubular bone that is axially and rotationally unstable when fractured, which ideally necessitates its surgical fixation in adults. Tibia fractures can be treated with a variety of choice of implants and surgical approaches. This study aims to assess the clinical and functional outcomes of a tibia fracture treated with intramedullary interlocking nails by a suprapatellar approach. Methodology A total of 32 patients were selected from patients admitted at Shri B. M. Patil Medical College and Research Centre with tibia fractures between January 2021 and May 2022. All the patients were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation with intramedullary interlocking nails by suprapatellar approach with a semi-extended knee position. All patients were followed up clinically and radiologically at regular intervals of six weeks, three months, six months, and one year. All functional outcomes were assessed based on modified Lysholm knee scores. Results A total of 31 patients showed union at the fracture site. One patient had nonunion and implant failure at the distal locking site, and two patients had persistent anterior knee pain at the end of one year. Functional outcome assessment based on modified Lysholm scores had excellent results, with a mean score of 95. Patients were followed up for a mean of 11.5 months. The mean time of union was observed as 12.5 months. Conclusions Suprapatellar tibia nailing is an effective alternative approach with ease of reduction and decreased intraoperative fluoroscopy time. The entry is in line with the medullary cavity preventing malreduction of proximal and distal tibia fractures. The additional proximal locking option also increases the stability of implant fixation.
ABSTRACT
Background One of the most frequent long bone fractures that most orthopaedic surgeons see is a tibial diaphyseal fracture. The tibia has more open fractures than any other major long bone because it is covered by skin for the majority of its length. The best course of therapy is still up for debate due to the high occurrence of comorbidities linked to these fractures. Materials and methods In this prospective study, 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Orthopaedics of Shri B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapura, Karnataka, India. The period of study was from January 2021 to May 2022. The patients were followed up for a period of six months. Longer follow-up was required for some patients. Results In our study, there were 26 (86.7%) male and four (13.3%) female patients. The mode of injury was road traffic accidents in all cases. The functional outcomes obtained using the modified Anderson and Hutchinson's criteria were good results in 22 (73.3%), moderate results in five (16.7%), and poor results in three (10%) of the study population. Pin tract infections (six cases; 20%) and shortening (eight cases; 26.7%) were the most frequent complications Conclusion Because of the ease of use, good fracture stability, adjustable geometry, light weight, reasonable price, and patient friendliness, the limb reconstruction system (LRS) provides an excellent alternative treatment option for treating compound fractures of the tibia.