Abstract
Fracture of the tibial shaft is the most common among the long bone fractures. It is prone to angular deformity during weight bearing and delayed union by inadequate immobilization. Various methods of treatement have been used. Recently closed flexible intramedullary nailing under the image intensifier has been widely used and its good results were reported. It is a simple procedure which does not necessiate reaming, and also does not disrupt or strip off soft tissue at the fracture site. The treatment of 26 cases of fractures of the tibial shaft using Ender nailing, from Feb, 1987 to Oct. 1989, were performed at the department of orthopaedic surgery of Chun Cheon Sacred Heart Hospital. The cases were analysed after minimum 1 year follow-up, and the summarized results are as follow;1. Among the 26 patients, 18 cases are male and 8 cases are female. The most prevalent age is 21-30 years. Traffic accident is the most common cause of injury. 2. 13 cases (50% ) are closed fractures and 13 cases (50% ) are open fractures, 11 cases are simple fracture and 15 cases(58%) are comminuted fractures. 9 cases (34.6%) have associated injuries. 3. The mean time of allowing full weight bearing is postoperative 9.1 weeks. 4. The mean time of clinical bone union is 10.2 weeks and that of roentgenological bone union is 15.1 weeks. 5. Complications include one case of valgus angular deformity (6°), one case of delayed union, one case of backing out of the nail, two cases of limited motion af ankle joint, and superficial infection. 6. In conclusion, Ender nailing is relatively simple procedure and which allows early weight bearing and decreases complications. It is considered to be a good method in treatment of tibial shaft fractures.