Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39395030›Full record

ArticleInternational orthopaedics2025

Comparison of retrograde and antegrade tibial intramedullary nail in the treatment of extra-articular distal tibial fractures.

Hui Liu, Weibin Lin, Weizhen Xu, Yuanfei Xiong, Jinhui Zhang, Jin Wu

Abstract readComparative Study
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In one paragraph

Article in International orthopaedics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Hui Liu *Department of Orthopaedics, the 909th Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Zhanghua Road 269, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363000, China.
Weibin Lin *Department of Orthopaedics, the 909th Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Zhanghua Road 269, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363000, China.
Weizhen XuDepartment of Orthopaedics, the 909th Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Zhanghua Road 269, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363000, China.
Yuanfei XiongDepartment of Orthopaedics, the 909th Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Zhanghua Road 269, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363000, China.
Jinhui ZhangDepartment of Orthopaedics, the 909th Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Zhanghua Road 269, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363000, China.
Jin WuDepartment of Orthopaedics, the 909th Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Zhanghua Road 269, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363000, China. wujin1983@xmu.edu.cn.ORCID 0000-0002-6041-4462

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of retrograde and antegrade intramedullary tibial nails (RTN and ATN) in managing extra-articular distal tibial fractures, addressing current controversies in surgical approaches. PATIENTS AND

methodsA retrospective analysis included 56 patients treated between December 2019 and August 2022 with either RTN (n = 23) or ATN (n = 33). Data on baseline characteristics, operative specifics, fluoroscopy usage, hospitalization duration, fracture healing times, time to full weight-bearing, distal tibial alignment, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores at final follow-up, and complications were evaluated and compared.

resultsBaseline characteristics were generally comparable and no significant differences except for fracture line lengths (RTN: 6.1 ± 1.9 cm vs. ATN: 7.8 ± 1.6 cm) were observed. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 20 months. No significant differences were observed in operative duration, hospital stays, coronal angulation of the distal tibial joint surface, or AOFAS scores at final follow-up. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was more frequent in the ATN group (9.5 ± 1.5) compared to RTN (8.3 ± 1.1) (P = 0.001). RTN showed shorter healing times (9.6 ± 1.2 weeks) and quicker return to full weight-bearing (12.9 ± 1.3 weeks) than ATN (10.6 ± 1.2 weeks and 13.9 ± 1.7 weeks, respectively). RTN complications included one delayed union, one superficial infection, and two ankle pain, while ATN complications comprised one delayed union, one superficial infection, seven anterior knee pain, and one malalignment. Despite higher complication rates with ATN, the differences were not statistically significant.

conclusionFor the treatment of extra-articular distal tibial fractures, both RTN and ATN are effective approaches. RTN may offer benefits such as reduced fluoroscopy use, accelerated healing, and earlier return to full weight-bearing compared to ATN.

Indexed as

Bone NailsFracture Fixation, IntramedullaryTibial FracturesAdultAgedFemaleFluoroscopyFracture HealingHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeWeight-BearingAntegrade tibial intramedullary nailsDistal tibial fracturesFracture unionFull weight-bearingMinimally invasive treatmentRetrograde tibial intramedullary nails

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.