title: Intramedullary nailing and functional bracing of tibial shaft fractures: 167 cases followed for minimum 2 years.
abstract: We treated 167 diaphyseal tibial fractures without reaming and with intramedullary fixation, using an unlocked Küntscher nail. The patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. The mean time to union was 16 weeks. There were no serious complications, but 1 case of nonunion, 1 case of deep infection and 2 cases of clinically relevant malalignment. Migration of the nail was observed in 11 cases. We conclude that this treatment is simple and gives satisfactory results in diaphyseal fractures after low- or mid-energy trauma.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, University Hospital of Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: de Santos de la Fuente
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: López Arévalo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tena Carrillo
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ramos Salguero
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fernández Medina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D001915:Braces / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000209:etiology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome