[Results of locking intramedullary nailing in distal tibial shaft fractures]

This report deals with 51 acute tibial fractures treated between 1981 and 1987 with a interlocking intramedullary nail. All fractures were extraarticular and located in the distal third. Fourty-four patients were followed up for an average of 32 months. The reduction was anatomic in 84%, with the remaining patients having angulation (valgus/antecurvation) of less than 5 degrees and shortening by less than 1 cm. The rate of local complications was 18%, and a secondary operation was required in 12%. There were no cases of deep infection. Bony union was achieved in every case. Overall, the results were judged to be excellent or good in 96% of the tibias. In this series we saw no poor results.