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Reaming did not affect functional outcomes in treatment of tibial shaft fractures
Use of a reamed tibial nail for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures did not impact patient function, according to results.
Researchers randomly assigned 1,319 skeletally mature patients with closed and open diaphyseal tibia fractures to receive fracture fixation with either an intramedullary nail after reaming of the intramedullary canal or with an intramedullary nail without previous reaming. Main outcome measures included the SF-36 and short musculoskeletal function assessment obtained during the initial hospitalization for pre-injury status and again at 2-week, 3-month, 6-month and 1-year follow-up.
At the 1-year follow-up, 768 patients completed at least one of the four functional outcomes scores which showed with no significant differences in functional outcomes between patients in the reamed and unreamed groups. Researchers also found neither group returned to baseline function at 1 year using findings from the SF-36 physical component score, short musculoskeletal function assessment dysfunction index and short musculoskeletal function assessment bothersome index. Functional outcome was significantly associated with time and fracture type, according to results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.