[Treatment of tibial shaft fractures by intramedullary locking nailing]

Authors analyzed consecutive series of 56 tibial shaft fractures (43 men and 13 women) treated by intramedullary locking nails in years 1993-2004. Age of patients ranged from 17 to 83 years (mean 38 years). The final result was analyzed in 51 patients (91%). The bone union was observed in 50 patients. Fractures united within 6 months in 45 patients (88%), between 8 and 15 months in 5 patients. Operative treatment of non-union was necessary in one patient. The fractures united in anatomical axis in 45 cases, small (less than 10 degrees) valgus deviation was noticed in four patients, whereas five patients with fractures localized in distal part of the tibia had 11-30 degrees valgus deviation. The limb length inequality more than 1 cm was noticed in one case. There was neither infection nor compartment syndrome. One patient died because of fatal pulmonary embolism.