Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of retrograde tibial intramedullary nail (RTN) in addressing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia. Methods This retrospective study included consecutive patients who were treated with RTN for nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia between Dec...

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Main Authors: Wen-Liang Zhai, Yuan-Fei Xiong, Hui Liu, Jin-Hui Zhang, Wei-Zhen Xu, Jin Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-10-01
Series:Journal of International Medical Research
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605241289017
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author Wen-Liang Zhai
Yuan-Fei Xiong
Hui Liu
Jin-Hui Zhang
Wei-Zhen Xu
Jin Wu
author_facet Wen-Liang Zhai
Yuan-Fei Xiong
Hui Liu
Jin-Hui Zhang
Wei-Zhen Xu
Jin Wu
author_sort Wen-Liang Zhai
collection DOAJ
description Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of retrograde tibial intramedullary nail (RTN) in addressing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia. Methods This retrospective study included consecutive patients who were treated with RTN for nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia between December 2020 and August 2023. Data regarding age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture type, initial fixation method, nonunion duration and type, risk factors, surgical duration, hospital stay, time to bone union, ankle function at final follow-up, and any complications were extracted from hospital records and analysed. Results Five patients in total were included, with previous treatments comprising locking plates and/or external fixation. The mean duration of RTN surgery was 94.0 ± 13.7 min, and mean duration of hospital stay was 9.8 ± 1.9 days. Patients were monitored for 10–18 months post RTN, achieving complete bone healing within a mean of 4.8 months. At the latest follow-up, the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 84.4 ± 6.8 (range, 77–95). No complications, such as infection, reoperation, implant issues, rotational deformity, or shortening were reported. Conclusion RTN emerges as a dependable, minimally invasive, and safe treatment modality for managing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia.
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spelling doaj-art-6654732b489e46ad8deaf7beb3ddc8f82025-08-20T01:48:08ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of International Medical Research1473-23002024-10-015210.1177/03000605241289017Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nailWen-Liang ZhaiYuan-Fei XiongHui LiuJin-Hui ZhangWei-Zhen XuJin WuObjective To evaluate the effectiveness of retrograde tibial intramedullary nail (RTN) in addressing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia. Methods This retrospective study included consecutive patients who were treated with RTN for nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia between December 2020 and August 2023. Data regarding age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture type, initial fixation method, nonunion duration and type, risk factors, surgical duration, hospital stay, time to bone union, ankle function at final follow-up, and any complications were extracted from hospital records and analysed. Results Five patients in total were included, with previous treatments comprising locking plates and/or external fixation. The mean duration of RTN surgery was 94.0 ± 13.7 min, and mean duration of hospital stay was 9.8 ± 1.9 days. Patients were monitored for 10–18 months post RTN, achieving complete bone healing within a mean of 4.8 months. At the latest follow-up, the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 84.4 ± 6.8 (range, 77–95). No complications, such as infection, reoperation, implant issues, rotational deformity, or shortening were reported. Conclusion RTN emerges as a dependable, minimally invasive, and safe treatment modality for managing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia.https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605241289017
spellingShingle Wen-Liang Zhai
Yuan-Fei Xiong
Hui Liu
Jin-Hui Zhang
Wei-Zhen Xu
Jin Wu
Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail
Journal of International Medical Research
title Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail
title_full Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail
title_fullStr Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail
title_full_unstemmed Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail
title_short Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail
title_sort nonunion of the distal one fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail
url https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605241289017
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