Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
An Intramedullary Locking Nail for Standardized Fixation of Femur Osteotomies to Analyze Normal and Defective Bone Healing in Mice
Published on: November 13, 2016
Comparison of Functional and Radiological Outcomes of Intramedullary Nailing of the Tibia Using Suprapatellar and
Anurag Agrawal1, Rajeev Kelkar1, Pranav Mahajan1
1Orthopedics and Traumatology, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital, Indore, IND.
Background:
Tibial shaft fractures are among the most common long bone injuries, frequently resulting from road traffic accidents, falls, and sports injuries. Intramedullary nailing (IMN) has become the gold standard for managing these fractures, but debate persists regarding the optimal surgical approach: suprapatellar (SPN) or infrapatellar (IFN).
Methods:
This prospective observational study was conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital, Indore, between October 2023 and September 2024. Sixty patients with closed or grade 1 compound tibial shaft fractures were enrolled and randomized equally into SPN and IFN groups. Surgical time, postoperative pain (visual analog scale scores), functional outcomes (Lysholm Knee Score), radiological alignment, and complications were assessed at two weeks, six weeks, and three months postoperatively.
Results:
The study population showed male predominance (88.33%), with a mean age of 32.1 years (SPN) and 36.2 years (IFN). Road traffic accidents were the leading cause of injury. The SPN group had significantly longer surgical times (77.63 ± 8.50 minutes) compared to the IFN group (68.80 ± 4.43 minutes; p = 0.00000836), though a learning curve was noted. Postoperative pain and functional recovery were similar in both groups across all follow-ups. By three months, the majority of patients in both groups achieved excellent functional outcomes, and radiological alignment was comparable. Minimal complications were observed, with only one case of knee stiffness in the SPN group, successfully managed.
Conclusion:
Both SPN and IFN approaches for tibial IMN offer comparable functional and radiological outcomes at three months. Although the SPN approach had a longer operative time initially, it did not significantly affect postoperative pain, fracture healing, or complication rates. Choice of approach may therefore be tailored based on surgeon preference, fracture location, and patient-specific considerations.
More Related Videos
09:01Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
04:41Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...