Main Article Content
Injuries associated with fractured tibial shaft
Abstract
Background: Tibial shaft fractures are the commonest long bone fractures.
Objective: This study was carried out to identify the injuries associated with these fractures so as to improve their overall management.
Design: This was a retrospective study.
Setting: The Accident and Emergency Department of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia.
Subjects: All patients admitted into the Accident and Emergency Department of Federal Medical Centre Umuahia between 1st June 2003 and 31st December 2010.
Method: The study involved retrieving the case notes of 159 consecutive cases of tibial shaft fractures admitted through the Accident and Emergency Department.
Results: The total number of patients was 152 and seven of them had bilateral tibial fractures. The male: female ratio was 2.1:1. Most cases (72%) were open fractures. The mean age was 26 years. The commonest cause of the injuries was motorcycle accidents (25.7%) followed closely by motor vehicular accidents (25%). The most common associated injuries in order of frequency were: ipsilateral fibular fractures, ankle injuries, ipsilateral femoral fractures and pelvic fractures.
Conclusion: Tibial shaft fractures are commonly associated with ipsilateral fibular fractures and ankle injuries. It is recommended that patients with tibial shaft fractures be properly assessed for femoral fractures and ankle injuries. It is also recommended that a prospective study of the same title be carried out to verify the relevance of knee injuries in patients with tibial fracture.
Objective: This study was carried out to identify the injuries associated with these fractures so as to improve their overall management.
Design: This was a retrospective study.
Setting: The Accident and Emergency Department of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia.
Subjects: All patients admitted into the Accident and Emergency Department of Federal Medical Centre Umuahia between 1st June 2003 and 31st December 2010.
Method: The study involved retrieving the case notes of 159 consecutive cases of tibial shaft fractures admitted through the Accident and Emergency Department.
Results: The total number of patients was 152 and seven of them had bilateral tibial fractures. The male: female ratio was 2.1:1. Most cases (72%) were open fractures. The mean age was 26 years. The commonest cause of the injuries was motorcycle accidents (25.7%) followed closely by motor vehicular accidents (25%). The most common associated injuries in order of frequency were: ipsilateral fibular fractures, ankle injuries, ipsilateral femoral fractures and pelvic fractures.
Conclusion: Tibial shaft fractures are commonly associated with ipsilateral fibular fractures and ankle injuries. It is recommended that patients with tibial shaft fractures be properly assessed for femoral fractures and ankle injuries. It is also recommended that a prospective study of the same title be carried out to verify the relevance of knee injuries in patients with tibial fracture.
