Abstract

We treated 33 segmental tibial fractures with interlocking nails between 1986 and 1991. All fractures were managed with calcaneal traction, closed reduction, reaming and fixation with a Grosse-Kempf interlocking nail. The patients were followed for at least 15 months. The mean duration to union was 17 (12-20) weeks for the distal fractures and 20 (12-34) weeks for the proximal ones. There were only 3 cases of delayed union of the proximal fracture, 2 of which united after dynamization by removal of distal screws and 1 after autogenous bone grafting. There were 2 cases of deep infection, which were diagnosed after the fractures were united. The infection was treated with removal of the nail, reaming, and antibiotic treatment intravenously for 2 weeks and orally for 4 weeks. All patients returned to their previous activity level. We conclude that segmental tibial fractures can be treated with an interlocking nail and have a high rate of union and a low complication rate.

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