[Incidence and causes of malalignment following tibial intramedullary nailing]

After intramedullary nailing of the tibia a malpositioning is frequently seen. Incidence and cause are discussed controversially. We evaluated 386 postoperative radiographs after intramedullary nailing of the tibia. Type and location of the fracture, site of nail-insertion and postoperative axis-deviation were evaluated. Correlation-tests performed for these parameters proved significant correlation only between malpositioning in recurvation and height of nail-insertion at the tibial tuberosity. Especially proximal fractures of the tibia tended to this misplacement. Other assumed correlations could not be statistically confirmed in this retrospective analysis.