Abstract: Introduction: Nonunion rates among the cases with isolated tibial diaphyseal fractures ranges from 1%-17
%. Studies can be found, saying that intact fibula is a good prognostic factor and will increase stability, and also which say intact fibula can lead to delayed union in conservative treatment of the tibial diaphyseal fractures.
Material and Methods: This study tries to assess the healing, maintenance of reduction, nonunion rates and compare the outcome of tibial diaphyseal fractures with or without associated fibula fractures. 58 patients with tibial diaphyseal fractures with or without fibula fracture visiting hospital between January 2015 to December 2016 who underwent intermedullary nailing were included in the study.
Results: There was no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of age or follow-up period. Mean time to union was 75 days (range: 60 to 120 days) in the intact fibula group, and 92 days (range: 60 to 180 days) in the group with tibia and fibula fracture. Dynamization was performed due to delayed union in 4 patient in second group. The xrays taken at the final follow up in the first group revealed mean varus angulation of 0.78° (range: 0 to 2°), valgus angulation of 0.09° (range: 0 to 1.1°), antecurvatum angulation of 1.09° (range: 0 to 6°), and recurvatum angulation of 0.15° (range: 0–1.1°). The same values were 1.12° (range: 0 to 4.2°), 0.67° (range: 0 to 3.6°), 0.35° (range: 0 to 2.3°), and 0.86° (range: 0 to 6.7°), respectively, in the second group, which had no significance statistically.
Conclusion: Our study results indicated that intact fibula in tibial diaphysis fractures treated with intramedullary nailing will not affect rate of union, or lead to loss of reduction, non-union, or malunion.
