Application of Locked İntramedullary Nails at Adult Tibia Diaphysis Fractures Surgical Treatment

Aim: To evaluate the effect of the treatment of locked intramedullary nails in adult patients with tibia diaphysis fractures. Patients and Methods: Forty-eight adults that were treated with reamed locked intramedullary nails for tibia shaft fractures were evaluated. 27 of the patients were male (56,25%) and 21 were women (43,75%). Mean age was 42,6(18-59). 29 of the fracture were right leg and 19 were left. There wasn’t any patient that had bilateral tibia shaft fracture. AO fracture classification system was used and every patient except 2 had concurrent fibula fracture. Patients’ injury mechanism, date of referral, date of operation, time of bne union (seeing 3 cortices bridging at X-ray), time to return to work, malalignment and joint range of motion were evaluated. Results: We found that mean union time was 14,2 weeks and mean time to return to work was 18,4 weeks. Out of 10 open fracture patients; 1 had superficial infection, 2 had pseudarthrosis, 1 had delayed union. Distal locking screw breaking occurred at 4 patients. Bone union time was delayed for 22 months at patient that had superficial infection. Patient was treated by providing dynamizition and giving antibiotics. Conclusions: We came to the conclusion that reamed locked intramedullary nails have high success rates, low complication rates, better functional results and provides rapid return to work; therefore, being a suitable surgical method it is still accepted as gold standard treatment.