Functional Outcomes after Tibial Nailing: Role of Early Physiotherapy and Resistance Training
Abhinav Sathe, Shreya Singh, Prachi Sathe, D. Vijay KumarAbstract
Background:
Tibial shaft fractures are commonly managed with intramedullary nailing; however, postoperative pain, restricted joint mobility, muscle weakness, and impaired lower-limb function may delay recovery. Early physiotherapy combined with progressive resistance training has the potential to enhance rehabilitation outcomes, but evidence regarding its effectiveness in middle-aged patients remains limited. This study evaluated the effect of an early physiotherapy program incorporating progressive resistance training on functional recovery following tibial intramedullary nailing.
Materials and Methods:
Twenty-five individuals between 40 and 60 years of age who had undergone tibial intramedullary nailing were recruited for this prospective randomized trial. Using a random allocation procedure, participants were assigned either to an intervention group (
Results:
The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in functional recovery than the control group. LEFS scores increased from 40.46 ± 10.31 to 63.06 ± 4.86 (
Conclusion:
Early physiotherapy combined with progressive resistance training significantly improved pain, joint mobility, and lower-limb function following tibial intramedullary nailing, supporting its incorporation into routine postoperative rehabilitation.