Long-Term Patient-Reported Knee Outcomes After Suprapatellar Intramedullary Tibial Nailing

Background Suprapatellar nailing of tibial fractures has not been shown to affect short-term knee outcomes, however long-term outcomes are unknown. The purpose of this study was to report long-term patient-reported knee outcomes after suprapatellar nailing. Methods Thirty-five adult patients with 37 tibial shaft fractures treated with suprapatellar nailing completed the Tegner-Lysholm Knee Score (TLKS) at an average of 5 years (range, 4–9 years) follow-up. Results The median TLKS was 98 (interquartile range, 85–100): Scores were considered excellent in 24 (68%), good in 3 (9%), fair in 3 (9%), and poor in 5 (14%). Based on patient responses, 28 (80%) patients did not have a limp, 32 (91%) ambulated without assistance, 22 (63%) were pain free, 29 (83%) had no knee instability, 30 (86%) endorsed no catching or locking, 27 (77%) could climb stairs with no issue, and 24 (69%) had no problems with squatting. Patients with poor/fair outcomes on the TLKS were more likely to have had a complication [3 (38%) vs. 1 (4%), difference 34%, 95% confidence interval 1–65%] and had no detectable difference in age, gender, open fracture, fracture classification, or worker’s compensation. Conclusion At long-term follow-up a majority of patients undergoing suprapatellar nailing had good/excellent knee outcomes. Poor/fair knee outcomes were associated with the development of complications. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective cohort study.