Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Suprapatellar Intramedullary Nailing in Proximal Third Tibia Fractures: Technical Insights and Results

Aims: Here we tend evaluate efficacy of supra-patellar nailing in the management of proximal tibial fractures by analyzing clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes. Additionally, it provides a detailed description of the technical aspects of the procedure, offering guidance to young surgeons on minimizing intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics at G.K. General Hospital, Bhuj, from March 2022 to March 2024.

Methodology: This retrospective study included 50 patients with proximal tibia fractures treated with supra-patellar nailing. The data were collected over a two-year period, from March 2022 to March 2024, at the Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, in the Department of Orthopaedics.

Results: A total of 50 patients were evaluated for clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes using appropriate scoring systems. The findings revealed a mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 0.45 at 1 year postoperatively, a mean Lysholm score of 97.12, and a mean radiological union time of 5 weeks.

Conclusion: Supra-patellar nailing is a highly effective technique for treating proximal third tibial fractures, provided that it is performed meticulously, adhering to established surgical principles and techniques with proper implant selection. This approach results in excellent clinical and radiological outcomes, with minimal complications when compared to other treatment modalities. Supra-patellar nailing offers distinct advantages in terms of positioning, nail entry, and placement, making it a viable option for the management of proximal third tibia fractures.

Limitations: The main limitations of this study include the relatively small sample size and the short duration of follow-up, which may influence the generalizability of the results.