ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the results of treatment of a closed reamed interlocking in the treatment of closed fractures of the tibial shaft.

Study design: A Descriptive observational study

Venue and Duration: This study was conducted in the Orthopedic department of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad for six months duration i.e from September 2020 to February 2021.

Patients and methods: The study included 43 patients over 19 years of age. The patients were taken to the emergency and Orthopedic department for surgery of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad for six months duration i.e from September 2020 to February 2021. Written approvals were granted from all selectees. Detailed history was asked and each patient was assessed clinically and radiographically. The reamed intramedullary nailing performed according to the protocol. Patients were followed for 1 year and assessed for infection, union, knee and ankle range of motion, and implant problems. 3 patients were excluded from follow-up, and the study was held in 40 patients.

Results: All fractures were having complete union without the need for bone grafting. Simple fractures have union at mean of 14 weeks, comminuted and segmented fractures have union for longer than five weeks, and a mean duration of 18.5 weeks. Superficial infection at the screw site occurred in two patients, and the drainage was done, antibiotics were given and distal screw were removed, respectively. While all patients had a full range of knee motion, 37 patients had a full range of ankle movement. The other three patients had a 15-to-20-degree dorsiflexion loss at the ankle joint. No nail fracture, proximal screw end fracture in one patients and distal screw fracture in two patients were observed.

Conclusion: We came to the conclusion that closed intramedullary nailing in the case of a closed shaft fracture of the tibia is a safe and satisfactory technique with a high rate of union and a relatively low complication rate and early return to activity.