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Assessing the effectiveness of intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures in a low-income setting: a prospective study in Yemen

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Tibial shaft fractures are common injuries that can be treated with various methods, including interlocked intramedullary nail (IMN). However, there is limited data on the clinical outcomes of IMN for tibial shaft fractures in Yemen.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of primary IMN for tibial shaft fractures in Yemen.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 134 patients who underwent primary IMN for tibial shaft fractures et al.-Thawra Modern General Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen, between June 2016 and June 2020. The patients were between 18 and 70 years old, and the fractures were classified according to the AO classification system. The fractures were treated with IMN using a standard technique. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The outcome measures included union time, complications, and functional scores.

Results

The mean union time was 17 weeks. The overall complication rate was 18.7%. The most common complications were infection (8.2%), delayed union (6.7%), and nonunion (3.7%). The mean functional scores at the final follow-up were 91.4 for the Knee Society Score and 90.2 for the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score.

Conclusion

Primary IMN is an effective and reliable method for treating tibial shaft fractures in Yemen, with acceptable union time, complication rate, and functional outcomes.

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Availability of data and materials

The corresponding author can provide the datasets used and/or analyzed in this study upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the staff of Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital for their help and cooperation in this study.

Funding

This study did not receive any funding from the hospital or the university.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedic Department, Sanaa University, Sanaa, Yemen

    Mohammad Hutaif & Hakim Humaid

  2. Head of Surgery Department, Sanaa University, Sanaa, Yemen

    Mohammad Ali Naji Issa

Authors
  1. Mohammad Hutaif
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  2. Mohammad Ali Naji Issa
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  3. Hakim Humaid
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Contributions

MH conceived and designed the study, performed the surgeries along with HH, collected and analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. MANI oversaw the study, reviewed the manuscript, and gave the final approval. HH helped with the surgeries along with MH, collected and checked the data, and assisted with the manuscript writing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mohammad Hutaif or Hakim Humaid.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study received approval from the ethical committee of Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen. All participants signed a written informed consent form before joining the study.

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All participants agreed to publish their data and images in a written informed consent form.

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Hutaif, M., Issa, M.A.N. & Humaid, H. Assessing the effectiveness of intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures in a low-income setting: a prospective study in Yemen. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 34, 995–1002 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-023-03753-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-023-03753-1

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