title: Dia-metaphyseal distal tibial fractures--treatment with a shortened intramedullary nail: a review of 15 cases.
abstract: Fifteen patients were reviewed retrospectively with distal tibial fractures treated with a reamed intramedullary nail which had approximately 1 cm removed just distal to the lowermost locking screw. There were 15 patients (nine males and six females). All patients had returned to normal activities of daily living. Eleven patients could perform all leisure activities with no symptoms and three had only minor discomfort, which did not preclude sport. All fractures united, 12 uneventfully and three after a secondary surgical procedure. Three patients had malalignment defined as varus-valgus angulation or recurvatum of 5 degrees or greater. Whilst technically challenging, intramedullary nailing for dia-metaphyseal distal tibial fractures represents a safe and reliable method for managing these injuries. This represents the first report in the English Language literature specifically examining treatment with a shortened tibial nail.
authors.affiliation: The Royal Victoria Hospital, Fracture Outcomes Research Unit, Ward 41, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT12 6BA, UK. anudogra@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dogra
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome