The epidemiology, management and complications of tibia fractures treated in major hospitals in Imo state, southeast Nigeria.

Abstract

Tibia fractures constitute one of the most common
types of trauma in Imo state. A retrospective
epidemiological study was conducted in three major
hospitals in Imo state to evaluate the distribution and
pattern of tibia fractures treated in the state
between 2012 and 2016. Information was sourced
from medical records at Federal Medical Centre,
Owerri, Christina Specialist Hospital, Owerri and Imo
State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu respectively.
Out of a total of 150 cases treated, 79 (52.7%) were
males while 71 (47.1%) were females. The most
frequently affected group were patients aged 25-34
years (36, 24%) followed by people aged 15-24 years
(33, 21.3%). The most common cause of tibia fracture
was road traffic accidents (RTAs) (52%) followed by
fall from a height (44%). Majority (83, 55%) of the
cases were open fractures while 53 (35%) were closed
fractures. The study concludes that tibia fractures
affected more male than female people in their
youthful age and was mainly due to RTAs. Concrete
measures should be taken to reduce the incidence of
tibia fractures in the state and its consequences.