Tibial fractures

Summary

Studies show promising results that intramedullary nailing may be a better treatment than cast immobilization for closed or grade I open tibial fractures. Time-to-union and time away from work is significantly shorter, and there are fewer delayed unions and non-unions in the groups treated by intramedullary nailing. Pain is consistently greater in the groups treated by intramedullary nailing compared with casting; however, several aspects of health-related quality of life are superior in the intramedullary nailing group despite more pain complaints.

Strength of evidence | Average methods score (out of 10)