Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Closed fractures of the tibial shaft are common. Tibia shaft fractures are the most common long bone fractures. They usually occur in young and active patients and are often due to high-energy trauma like motor vehicle accidents, sports or falls from height. The aim of present study was to report the complication associated with different methods of treatment. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in the department of orthopaedics in 2012. It consisted of 400 patients having tibial fractures. It involves males (216) and females (184). Patients were divided into 4 groups of 100 patients each. Group I treated with plaster cast, Group II treated with fixation with plate and screws, Group III treated with reamed intramedullary nail and group IV treated with unreamed intramedullary nail. Factors such as time to fracture healing, numbers of delayed union, nonunion and malunion, incidence of infection, and other complications were recorded in all groups. Results: Patients were divided into group I treated with plaster cast, Group II treated with fixation with plate and screws, Group III treated with reamed intramedullary nail and group IV treated with unreamed intramedullary nail. Each group consisted of 100 patients (males- 50, females- 50). Non union or delayed union seen in group I was 18%, group II was 3%, group III was 9% and group IV was 17.10%. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Malunion seen in group I was 32%, group II was 1%, group III was 4% and group IV was 12%. The difference was significant (P<0.05). There was no superficial infection in group I. In group II, 10% of infection was seen. IN group III, it was 3% and in group IV, it was reported to be 1%. The difference was significant (P<0.05). The need for reoperation in group I was 9%, group II was 5%, group III was 13% and in group IV was 24%. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Different treatment modalities have been performed for tibial fracture. None has been found effective. Thus selection of specific technique is necessary to avoid complication.
Key words: Malunion, non union, tibial