Clinical outcomes of proximal tibia shaft fractures managed with intramedullary interlocking nailing using polar screw

Background: Tibial shaft fractures are common injuries encountered in orthopedic practice, especially due to high-energy trauma. These fractures, particularly in the proximal tibia being a metaphysical region, present significant challenges due to the region's unstable nature, difficulty in reduction, fixation issues, and compromised blood supply. Methods: This study is a prospective observational design conducted at a tertiary care hospital, aimed at assessing clinical outcomes of proximal tibia shaft fractures managed with intramedullary interlocking nailing using polar screw. The study population consists of patients aged 18-75 with proximal tibia fractures. A total sample size of 30 was used for this study. Results: Functional outcomes were measured using the Johner and Wruh’s criteria, with 72% of patients achieving excellent results, 24% good, and only 4% fair outcomes. No poor outcomes were recorded. The most common postoperative complication was joint stiffness, affecting 10% of patients. Other complications, such as delayed union, valgus/varus deformities, and infections, were noted but occurred at lower frequencies. Conclusion: Functional outcomes at six months were excellent for most patients, with only a few experiencing mild mobility issues and pain .Stiffness was the most common complication, but overall, the complication rate was low .Intramedullary interlocking nailing using polar screw is effective for proximal third tibial fractures if stable reduction is achieved, though it poses a challenge to surgeons