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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
07:35
Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
Hardware removal after tibial fracture has healed
Adam Sidky1, Richard E Buckley
1University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alta.
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien De Chirurgie
|September 26, 2008
Summary
For tibial fractures treated with intramedullary nails (IMNs), patient sex and involvement in litigation significantly influence requests for implant removal. These factors predict whether patients seek IMN removal after fracture healing.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Traumatology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Tibial fractures are common long bone injuries.
- Intramedullary nails (IMNs) are standard treatment for diaphyseal tibial fractures.
- Clear criteria for IMN removal after healing are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing patient requests for tibial IMN removal.
- To establish predictors for implant removal after fracture union.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of a single surgeon's practice (1996-2005).
- Analysis of patients (16-70 years) treated with IMN for tibial fractures.
- Inclusion of demographic, fracture, and post-operative data.
Main Results:
- Patient sex and litigation status were significant predictors of IMN removal requests.
- Age, BMI, fracture characteristics, and insurance/WCB involvement did not influence removal likelihood.
- 72.2% of patients reported symptom improvement post-IMN removal.
Conclusions:
- Male sex and litigation involvement positively predict patient-initiated tibial IMN removal.
- These findings aid in counseling patients regarding implant removal decisions.
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