Table 4 Summary of complications of tibial shaft football fractures according to treatment method and their outcomes.
AO Class | Treatment | Complication | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Closed 42A2 | Cast | Position slipped at day 12 | IM nail. Nail was removed at 13 months because of anterior knee pain. |
Closed 42A3 (fibula intact) | Cast | Position slipped at day 9 | IM nail |
Closed 42A2 | Cast | Position slipped at day 28 | IMnail |
Closed 42A3 | Cast | Position slipped at 8 | IM nail |
Closed 42A3 | Cast | Non-union at 5 months | Underwent bone grafting and plating plus fibulectomy. Subsequently lost to follow-up. |
Closed 42A3 | IM nail | Anterior knee pain | Nail removed at 29 months |
Closed 42A3 | IM nail | Delayed union | Dynamisation at 24 weeks |
Closed 42A3 | IM nail | Anterior knee pain | Nail removed at 24 weeks |
Closed 42B2 | IM nail (at 23 hrs) | Fat embolism | Admitted to Intensive Care for 2 days then discharged on day 8 post-op. Fracture subsequently united. |
Closed 42A2 | IM nail | Anterior and medial knee pain. | Self-discharged from clinic and lost to follow-up. |