The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 63, Issue 8 1310-1318, Copyright © 1981 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Intramedullary nailing in segmental tibial fractures
GC Melis, F Sotgiu, M Lepori and P Guido
Thirty-eight consecutive segmental fractures of the tibia were treated by
intramedullary nailing with the Kuntscher-Herzog nail. Twenty-two fractures
were closed and sixteen were open. Reaming of the medullary cavity was
performed and adequate fixation was ensured by use of a plaster cast.
Weight-bearing was allowed after thirty-days for closed fractures and sixty
days for open fractures. All of the closed fractures healed without
malunion or infection. Of the patients with open fractures, one had an
infection; one, non-union; and one, malunion. In all cases but one, union
was slower at the distal fracture.