This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Immediate weight-bearing after IM nailing of tibial shaft fractures seen as safe
Recently published results showed no increase in adverse events or complications among patients who had immediate weight-bearing after intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures.
Researchers randomly assigned 68 patients with 70 tibial shaft fractures treated with locked intramedullary nailing to an immediate weight-bearing-as-tolerated group or a non-weight-bearing group for the first 6 postoperative weeks. Main outcome measures included fracture union, treatment failure or revision surgery.
Nimal Tejwani
Results showed no statistical difference between the two groups for observed time to union and rates of complications. Researchers noted no patients experienced fracture loss of reduction leading to malunion. The two groups did not have significant differences in Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores, according to results. In a subgroup analysis that compared open injuries vs. closed fractures, researchers found that although postoperative absolute tibial length differed between the groups, the change in tibial length was nearly identical from postoperative measurement to final follow-up. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Gross reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.