Segmental tibial shaft fractures treated with interlocking nailing

Thirty-eight segmental tibial shaft fractures were treated with closed Grosse-Kempf interlocking nails and retrospectively followed up for > or = 1 year (average 32 months). There was a 97% union rate and a 4.5 +/- 1.6 month union period. Knee as well as ankle range of motion was satisfactory. Significant complications included one aseptic nonunion (3%), which healed after the static locked nail was dynamized. We recommend that whenever possible, closed interlocking nailing should be used to treat closed or mild open (wound size < 1 cm) segmental tibial shaft fractures.