Study of management of tibial diaphyseal fractures with interlocking nail

Introduction: Tibia is the most commonly fractured long bone in the body with an annual incidence of tibial shaft fractures is 2 per 1000 individuals. Various techniques are now available for treatment of diaphyseal fractures of tibia where orthopaedic surgeon must be aware of the advantages, disadvantages and limitation of each to select the proper treatment for each patient. The type, location, degree of communition, age, patients social and economic demands may influence the method of treatment. Later, as a result of ability to lock the nail proximally and distally, closed intramedullary nailing became an accepted treatment for closed shaft fractures during the ninth decade Aim: To study and evaluate the results of Interlocking intramedullary nailing in diaphyseal fractures of tibia. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study included patients of both sex and age group between 15-70 year, admitted in the orthopaedic wards with diaphyseal fracture of tibia. All cases were followed for a period of 5 months to 4 years. X-rays were taken at every visit and patient was assessed clinically for fracture union. The results were assessed on the basis of Alho and Ekeland criterias. The functional assessment of the results was done on the basis of Per Edwards, 1965. Results and Discussion: Following results were observed in our study; excellent (85%), Very good (12%), Good (2%) and Fair (1%). These resuts along with the observed complications are comparable with other studies. Conclusion: Interlocked intramedullary nailing done under image intensifier has proved to be a one-time procedure leading to union in almost all the cases. This procedure allows earlier weight-bearing leading to earlier fracture union with less morbidity. Because of the high union rate and low infection rate, we consider closed interlocking nailing as the best mode of treatment for diaphyseal tibial fractures.