Characteristics of patients suffering tibial nonunion: A descriptive study carried out in a tertiary care hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Aim: To determine the characteristics of the patients suffering tibial nonunion in our population. Methodology: This was a descriptive study, in which gender, age groups, side of the fracture, anatomic location of tibia, fibula involvement, coexisting systemic disease, and coexisting skin trauma were the qualitative variables, while age of the patients was the only quantitative variables. SPSS version 25 was used, where frequencies and percentages were computed for qualitative variables and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variable. The data was presented in tables and graphs. Results: Out of total of 144 patients, 10.4% were Child, 4.2% adolescents, 58.3% young adults, 29.9% middle aged adults, and 46(.2% ) older adults. 87.5% were male and 12.5% were female. 68.8% patients had right tibia while 31.3% had left tibia involved. Anatomic location of tibial lesion was proximal, middle, and distal in 21(14.6%), 108 (75%), and 15(10.4%) patients respectively. Fibula was also fractured in 89.6% (129 out of 144) patients. 39.6% patients had co-existing systemic disease while 79.2% had open fracture. Their age ranged between 2 to 80 years. The mean age of female patients was 31.50 + 18.81 years, while the mean age of male patients was 35.57+17.77 years. Conclusion: Tibial nonunions were comparatively more prevalent in male gender and young adult age group. Right tibia was involved more than left tibia. Majority non-unions involved middle of tibial shaft and fibula fracture was coexisting as well. A big proportion of the patients had coexisting systemic disease. Most of tibial nonunions were seen in open fractures. Female patients suffering non-union were relatively younger than male patients