Intramedullary tibia nailing with external fixation.

PURPOSE: This study introduces an intramedullary nailing technique with external fixation and aims to determine the safest position of Schanz screws for this technique. METHODS: Patients undergoing intramedullary nailing were evaluated by computed tomography to assess the anteroposterior (AP) length of the medullary canal and the distance between the posterior cortex and the posterior border of the nail at the level of interest in the proximal and distal tibia. In this cadaveric study, screws were inserted at the level of interest, followed by a determination of the anatomical relationship between inserted screws and nearby neurovascular structures. RESULTS: The safe area for inserting Schanz screws in the medial to lateral direction in the proximal tibia was found to be 1.5-4.5 cm distal to the knee joint line on the AP view, 1 cm anterior to the posterior cortex at the distal 4.5 cm level, and