title: [Use of the orthofix intramedullary nail in tibial shaft fractures. A review of 22 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tibial shaft fractures are common since they account for 9% of all fractures. Intramedullary nailing is described in the literature as the gold standard for their treatment and the most recent research emphasizes minimum exposure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present the clinical and radiological course of closed, unreamed intramedullary fixation for tibial shaft fractures in a group of patients seen at Medica Sur Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two male patients with a diagnosis of tibial shaft fracture were analyzed retrospectively; mean age was 28 years. In all of them the Orthofix nail was inserted through the patellar tendon, with a closed approach and without reaming the medullary cavity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty patients had closed fractures (90.90%) and 2 patients had open fractures (9.09%). The mean time to starting ambulation with protected weight bearing was two weeks in 18 patients (81.81%); with full weight bearing, six weeks in 13 patients (91%). The mean time to full weight bearing without crutches was 10 weeks in 21 patients (95.45%). Mean radiographic grade III-IV healing time was 16 weeks. Complications were: delayed union in two patients (9.09%), compartmental syndrome, in one patient (4.45%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Orthofix interlocking intramedullary nail placed with a closed approach provides immediate stability due to the proximal and distal locking. Patient rehabilitation is quicker, with total mobility, providing an early stimulation for callus formation and the added benefit of sparing the endosteal blood supply.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Ortopedia, Hospital Médica Sur.
authors.forename: José Dolores
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: García Juárez
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aguilera Zepeda
authors.forename: Alfonso Tohen
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Bienvenu
authors.forename: Melchor Iván
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Encalada Díaz
authors.forename: Oscar Dáivila
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Sheldon
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*