Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Original Article

Torsional Deformity Following Intramedullary Nailing for Treatment of the Tibia Fractures: Ju O Kim, Sung Jun Lee, Yeub Kim, Hae Ryong Huh; J Korean Soc Fract 2000;13(4):928-934. Published online October 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2000.13.4.928

Abstract PDF: PURPOSE
To determine the incidence and extent of torsional mal-alignment in patients with tibial shaft fractures treated with closed antegrade intramedullary(IM) nailing.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We measured torsion using CT scanning in 35 patients. Affected tibiae were compared with the normal tibiae.
RESULTS
A torsional difference of 8degrees or more found in 22 cases(63%) as compared with the uninjured side. Only 7 of these cases could be clinically detected and only two patients noted the problem.
CONCLUSION
Torsional mal-alignment occurs in a significant number of tibial fractures treated by closed IM nailing in spited of careful attention to detail. We recommend that torsional mal-alignment be considered as a likely cause for less than optimal result after treatment of the tibial fractures by closed IM nailing and to investigate this further by performing CT scans.

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