Comparison of Free-hand and K-wires Technique in Distal Locking of Expert Tibia Nail

The purpose of this study was to analyse the application value of K-wires technique for distal locking of expert tibia nail (ETN). It was a retrospective study carried out from September 2019 to July 2020 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University. All the patients of distal tibial fracture, treated with the ETN and free-hand or K-wires technique for distal locking, were included in this study. A total of 98 patients were evaluated, which included 47 with free-hand and 51 with K-wires technique. The operation time of the K-wires technique was shorter than that of free-hand (p <0.001). The number of distal shots, distal locking time, and the total number of shots with K-wires technique were lower than those with free-hand (p=0.015, p=0.025, and p=0.030, respectively). The adjustment time for the K-wires was less than that by free-hand (p=0.001). The K-wires can be better used for the distal locking of the ETN. Key Words: Distal locking, Tibia fractures, Intramedullary nail.