OBJECTIVETo study the clinical efficacy of semiextended intramedullary nailing of the tibia using a suprapatellar approach for proximal tibial fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2013 to January 2014, a total of 16 patients with unilateral proximal tibial fractures, 14 males and 2 females, underwent closed reduction and internal fixation with TRIGEN™ META-NAIL™ via the suprapatellar approach. The average age was 42.2 years old (ranged, 26 to 57 years old). Radiographic and clinical follow-up examinations were performed at a minimum of 1 year after surgery. Measurements included surgery time, complications, bone healing time, tibial alignment, knee range of motion, pain scoring (visual analogue scale) and functional outcome (Lysholm knee score).

RESULTSThe average surgery time was (75.7±8.3) minutes (ranged, 65 to 95 minutes). No obvious complications were recorded. Average duration of follow-up was (15.6±8.1) months (ranged, 12 to 24 months). Fifteen patients attained radiological bone union for a mean time of (3.6±1.8) months (ranged, 3 to 5 months). At the final follow-up, all tibial alignments were good, and no patients complained of anterior knee pain. Mean arc of knee motion was (124.4±18.8) degrees for the affected extremity compared with (127.5±16.7) degrees for the contra-lateral knee. The total scores of Lysholm knee score ranged from 77 to 92, average 86.4±12.3.

CONCLUSIONFor proximal tibial fractures,the semiextended intramedullary nailing technique via a suprapatellar approach can obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes with simplicity in reduction and fixation, minimal complications, and good recovery of limbs function.