Complications of Intramedullary Nailing for Tibial Shaft Fractures at Jos University Teaching Hospital

Intramedullary nailing is the surgical gold standard for the management of displaced tibial shaft fractures, providing stable fixation that enables early mobilisation. However, procedure-related complications remain a concern, particularly in resource-limited settings where implant quality and imaging support may be suboptimal. This retrospective cohort study documents the complications of intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), North Central Nigeria, over a five-year period. Case records will be reviewed for patient demographics, fracture classification, nail type and diameter, operative technique, intra-operative complications, and post-operative complications including malunion, non-union, implant failure, compartment syndrome, infection, and anterior knee pain. Complication rates will be expressed as proportions, and factors associated with complications analysed using logistic regression. The study hypothesises that complication rates are significantly higher in grade II and III open fractures and in patients with delayed presentation. Findings will be submitted to the orthopaedic department at JUTH and presented at the annual AOTSN conference. This research contributes to the evidence base on intramedullary nailing outcomes from a Middle Belt tertiary centre and supports informed decision-making regarding implant selection and peri-operative protocols in North Central Nigerian orthopaedic practice. Keywords: intramedullary nailing, tibial shaft fractures, complications, Jos, orthopaedic trauma.