Use of poller screw in the management of distal tibial fractures treated with intramedullary nails

Dr Mohammed Ashraf; Dr.Jinumon Mathew

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2016

Use of poller screw in the management of distal tibial fractures treated with intramedullary nails

Dr Mohammed Ashraf, Dr. Jinumon Mathew

Abstract :

Introduction : Intramedullary nailing of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture may be result in deformity secondary to instability and ambulation after fixation. Our aim was to evaluate the use of poller screws(blocking screws) as a supplement to stability along with statically locked intramedullary nail for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Materials and methods :We prospectively evaluated 15 patients of distal tibial fractures treated with poller screws along with interlocking nails for a period of 12 months Result : all fractures are united with a mean varus valgus alignment of –1° (–5–3) and mean antecurvatum recurvatum alignment of 1.4(–6–10). There was no complications related to poller screw. clinical outcome was assessed using the karstrom–olerud scorescope Conclusion : Poller screws, placed adjacent to the nail and perpendicular to the interlocking screw holes, usually in an anteroposterior direction, have been suggested as one possible method for improving the stability of metaphyseal fractures,and have been described as a reduction tool used to overcome the displacing forces at the time of introduction of the intramedullary nail.