Functional outcomes of antegrade intramedullary tibia interlocking nails in fractures of shaft of tibia in adult patients (A study of 25 cases)

Background: Prospective observational study to observe the functional outcomes of antegrade intramedullary tibia interlocking nails in fractures of shaft of tibia in adult patients at tertiary care hospital. Methods: This study is a prospective observational study based on 25 indoor patients aged 20 to 60, who underwent intra medullary tibia interlocking nail from Jan 2024 to June 2024 for fracture shaft of the right (n=15) and left (n=10) tibia were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 9 months. Functional outcome was evaluated based on Johner and Wruh’s criteria. Results: In our study 84% patients had excellent functional results and 12% had good functional outcome, while only 4% had fair functional outcome. Anterior knee pain seen in 4% patients. Conclusions: When treating tibial shaft fractures, closed intramedullary interlocking nailing under c-arm guidance is a well-established standard procedure that combines control of length, alignment, and rotation, preserves periosteal and some endosteal blood supply, and, with biological osteosynthesis, lowers infection, non-union, and malunion rates.