Abstract: Introduction: Open fractures of the tibia are among the most common of serious skeletal injuries, can cause permanent sequelae if not managed timely and precisely.
Material and Methods: The study group comprised of 30 patients who underwent closed locked intramedullary nailing. Follow up done for period of one year from July 2019 to June 2020 in prospective and retrospective manner at Department of Orthopaedics, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University.
Results: The Mean time of union was found to be 14 weeks 4 days for all compound fractures, for grade I compound – 13 weeks 3 days, for grade II cases – 15 weeks, and for grade IIIA cases – 17 weeks 1 day. Based on Johner-Wruhs criteria 90% and 10% of grade I cases had excellent and good outcome. 80% and 20 % of grade II cases had excellent and good outcome. 75% and 25% of grade IIIA patient had excellent and good outcome. Overall 83.3% of compound fracture had excellent outcome and 16.7% of compound fractures had good outcome respectively. Complication encountered was superficial infection (6.6%) in 2 patients, 3 (10%) patients had anterior knee pain, non union in 2 patients and delayed union in 1 patient.
Conclusion: our study concluded that in Grade I, II and Grade IIIa tibial diaphyseal fracture, treated with closed intramedullary interlocked nail had excellent to good functional outcome with proper alignment, good range of motion, low infection rate and less patient morbidity.
