Fractures of the Proximal Third of the Tibial Shaft Treated With Intramedullary Nails and Blocking Screws

OBJECTIVES: To describe the technique and results of using blocking screws and intramedullary nails to treat patients with fractures of the proximal third of the tibial shaft. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: Level I trauma centers. PATIENTS: Twelve consecutive patients treated with intramedullary nailing and blocking screws for fractures of the proximal third of the tibial shaft. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated with intramedullary nails and blocking screws. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The alignment of fractures was determined using standard anteroposterior and lateral radiographs after surgery and at each follow-up examination. One patient was lost to follow-up. All other patients were followed at regular intervals until union or establishment of a nonunion. Changes in alignment and complications were noted. RESULTS: Postoperatively, all patients had less than 5 degrees of angular deformity in the planes in which blocking screws were used to control alignment. One patient had postoperative malalignment (6 degrees of valgus), but a lateral blocking screw to control valgus deformity was not used in this patient. One patient was lost to follow-up. Eleven patients were followed up to union (n = 10) or establishment of a nonunion (n = 1). Ten of eleven patients maintained their postoperative fracture alignment at their last follow-up examination (average follow-up of thirty-three weeks). One patient progressed from 6 degrees of valgus immediately after surgery to 10 degrees of valgus at union. This patient did not have a blocking screw to control valgus angulation. CONCLUSIONS: Blocking screws are effective to help obtain and maintain alignment of fractures of the proximal third of the tibial shaft treated with intramedullary nails.