Extraarticular proximal-tibial fractures

Summary

Limited, poor evidence is available for comparing the treatment of extraarticular proximal tibial fractures by intramedullary nail or plate fixation. There was no difference in the rates of nonunion for either treatment. Significantly less patients treated by intramedullary nailing experience infection than patients treated by plating, whereas more patients treated by intramedullary nailing experienced malunion or compartment syndrome than those treated by intramedullary nailing. Implant failure occurred only in patients treated by intramedullary nailing. However, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from this collection of case-series and a well-conducted prospective or randomized controlled trial would be a significant addition to this subject.