Interlocking intramedullary nailing for the treatment of tibial fractures

Thirty-seven tibial shaft fractures in 34 patients were treated with the Grosse-Kempf interlocking intramedullary nail over a two year period. Thirty-six tibiae were consolidated at a median of 17 weeks; one had re-fractured following nail removal in a separate injury, but was now uniting on conservative treatment. Using very detailed clinical and radiological analysis, and excluding the patient who had re-fractured, the results were excellent in 19, good in 8, fair in 6 and poor in 3. The most significant complications were haematoma formation and additional comminution during nail insertion. Overall, we found tibial nailing to be a satisfactory procedure, facilitating rapid rehabilitation with early weight bearing and resulting in predictable fracture healing in good alignment.