Fractures of the proximal third of the tibial shaft treated with intramedullary nails and blocking screws.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the technique and results of using blocking screws and intramedullary nails to treat patients with fractures of the proximal third of the tibial shaft.

DESIGN

Prospective.

SETTING

Level I trauma centers.

PATIENTS: Twelve consecutive patients treated with intramedullary nailing and blocking screws for fractures of the proximal third of the tibial shaft.

INTERVENTION: Patients were treated with intramedullary nails and blocking screws.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The alignment of fractures was determined using standard anteroposterior and lateral radiographs after surgery and at each follow-up examination. One patient was lost to follow-up. All other patients were followed at regular intervals until union or establishment of a nonunion. Changes in alignment and complications were noted.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, all patients had less than 5 degrees of angular deformity in the planes in which blocking screws were used to control alignment. One patient had postoperative malalignment (6 degrees of valgus), but a lateral blocking screw to control valgus deformity was not used in this patient. One patient was lost to follow-up. Eleven patients were followed up to union (n = 10) or establishment of a nonunion (n = 1). Ten of eleven patients maintained their postoperative fracture alignment at their last follow-up examination (average follow-up of thirty-three weeks). One patient progressed from 6 degrees of valgus immediately after surgery to 10 degrees of valgus at union. This patient did not have a blocking screw to control valgus angulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Blocking screws are effective to help obtain and maintain alignment of fractures of the proximal third of the tibial shaft treated with intramedullary nails.