Malalignment has been frequently reported after intramedullary stabilization of distal tibia fractures. Nails have also been associated with knee pain in several studies. Historically, plate fixation has resulted in increased risks of infection and nonunion. Our purposes were to compare plate and nail stabilization for distal tibia shaft fractures by assessing complications and secondary procedures. We hypothesized that nails would be associated with more malalignment and nonunion.
Design: Randomized, prospective study.
Setting: Level I trauma center.
Patients: 104 skeletally mature patients with extra-articular distal tibia shaft fractures with a mean age of 38 years (range, 18-95 years) and mean Injury Severity Score of 13.5 (range, 9-50). The majority had high-energy injuries.
Intervention:
Main Outcome Measures: Malunion, nonunion, infection, and secondary operations.
High primary union rates were noted after surgical treatment of distal tibia shaft fractures with both nonlocked plates and reamed intramedullary nails. Rates of infection, nonunion, and secondary procedures were similar. Open fractures had higher rates of infection, nonunion, and malunion. Intramedullary nailing was associated with more malalignment versus plating. Fibula fixation may facilitate reduction of the tibia at the time of surgery. The effect of fibula fixation on tibia healing deserves further study. Economic assessment and functional outcomes data for this population will help to enhance our treatment decision-making.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Malalignment has been frequently reported after intramedullary stabilization of distal tibia fractures. Nails have also been associated with knee pain in several studies. Historically, plate fixation has resulted in increased risks of infection and nonunion. Our purposes were to compare plate and nail stabilization for distal tibia shaft fractures by assessing complications and secondary procedures. We hypothesized that nails would be associated with more malalignment and nonunion.
Design: Randomized, prospective study.
Setting: Level I trauma center.
Patients: 104 skeletally mature patients with extra-articular distal tibia shaft fractures with a mean age of 38 years (range, 18-95 years) and mean Injury Severity Score of 13.5 (range, 9-50). The majority had high-energy injuries.
Intervention:
Main Outcome Measures: Malunion, nonunion, infection, and secondary operations.
High primary union rates were noted after surgical treatment of distal tibia shaft fractures with both nonlocked plates and reamed intramedullary nails. Rates of infection, nonunion, and secondary procedures were similar. Open fractures had higher rates of infection, nonunion, and malunion. Intramedullary nailing was associated with more malalignment versus plating. Fibula fixation may facilitate reduction of the tibia at the time of surgery. The effect of fibula fixation on tibia healing deserves further study. Economic assessment and functional outcomes data for this population will help to enhance our treatment decision-making.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.