Comparison of Anterior Knee Pain Following Tibia ILN in Patellar Tendon Split and Retraction Insertion

Aim: To compare post operative anterior knee pain following interlocking nail of tibia with patellar tendon split and medial retraction for nail insertion. Methods: Forty patients with tibia fractures operated by interlocking nail were included and divided into two equal groups. Group A with patellartendon was split and group B patellar tendon was retracted medially to insert the nail. In both groups nail insertion was kept extra articular. All patients were followed for one year and anterior knee pain noted on Visual Analogue Scale. Fracture healing, range of movement and other complications were observed. Results: In group A, 10 patients hand anterior knee patient of grade 4, maximum at 6 month follow up. Two patients had prominent nail to cause impingement on the patellar tendon. In group B with patellar tendon retracted, 7 patients had grade 3 pain, maximum at six month follow up and one patient had prominent nail. Prominent nail were removed in both groups after fracture healed. In both groups all patients were pain free at one year follow up. Conclusion: Patients with patellar tendon retracted had better results compared to patellar tendon split group.