Alteration of the Patella Tendon Length after Intramedullary Nail in Tibial Shaft Fractures

Dong-Eun Shin; Ki-Shik Nam; Jin-Young Bang; Ji-Hoon Chang

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2012.25.4.283

Journal List > J Korean Fract Soc > v.25(4) > 1037890

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Shin, Nam, Bang, and Chang: Alteration of the Patella Tendon Length after Intramedullary Nail in Tibial Shaft Fractures

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2012; 25(4): 283-287.

Published online: 19 October 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2012.25.4.283

Alteration of the Patella Tendon Length after Intramedullary Nail in Tibial Shaft Fractures

Dong-Eun Shin, M.D., Ki-Shik Nam, M.D., Jin-Young Bang, M.D., Ji-Hoon Chang, M.D.^*

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bundang CHA Hospital, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.

^*Nanoori Gangseo Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Ki-Shik Nam, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bundang CHA Hospital, CHA University, 59, Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 463-712, Korea. Tel: 82-31-780-5270, Fax: 82-31-703-3578, allthatineed@naver.com

Received 8 May 2011 Revised 9 January 2012 Accepted 5 September 2012

Abstract

Purpose

To compare and analyze length change of patella tendon after intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture using transtendinous approach.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-two cases were analyzed from December, 1999 to December, 2005. Insall Salvati ratios were estimated. Severity of initial trauma, duration of nail retension, knee function and pain on change of length of patellar tendon was evaluated.

Results

Mean duration of nail retention was twenty-two months. The shortening of patella tendon was observed in 25 cases (p<0.001). The effect of AO type and the duration of nail retension on the decrease of Insall Salvati ratio was not significant (p>0.05, p=0.778). Lysholom score decrease to 89.5. There was no significant difference between the shortening of patellar tendon length and knee pain (p=0.058).

Conclusion

After intramedullary nailing for closed tibia fracture, shortening of patellar tendon length is observed. That is irrelevant to the fracture type and the duration of nail retension. The shortening of patella tendon length may contribute to decreasing of knee function, but it was no significance of knee pain after intramedullary nailing.

Keywords: Tibial fractures, Intramedullary fracture fixation, Patellar tendon

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Insall-Salvati ratio of intact knee joint compared to knee joint of the injured side after removal of the nail. LT: Length of patella tendon, LP: Length of patella.

Table 1

Difference in Insall-Salvati Ratio according to AO Classification

Values are presented as mean (range) or number or mean±standard deviation. M: Male, F: Female, LT: Length of patella tendon, LP: Length of patella.

Table 2

Difference in Insall-Salvati Ratio according to Duration of Nail Retention

Values are presented as mean (range) or number or mean±standard deviation. M: Male, F: Female, LT: Length of patella tendon, LP: Length of patella.

Table 3

Relationship between Patellar Tendon Length Change and Knee Pain

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