The use of Ender nails in tibial shaft fractures.

The results of 31 fractures of the tibial shaft treated with closed Ender nailing and early weight-bearing are reported. Twenty-five of these fractures were closed and six open. All fractures united between 6 and 16 weeks after operation. No case of deep wound infection was encountered. Comminuted fractures of the proximal and distal third were prone to angular deformities and needed cast protection post-operatively. Nail reinsertion became necessary in two patients. Delay of operation renders closed reduction very difficult. The advantages of this method are: 1) normal knee and ankle movements are possible during healing and 2) there is relatively rapid restoration of bone continuity.