Efficacy of Postoperative Radiographs After Intramedullary Nailing of the Tibia and Femur: When Are They Useful?

Postoperative radiographs are used to monitor fractures of the tibia and femur after intramedullary fixation. This study sought to examine how frequently these radiographs change management. METHODS: This was a single-center chart review of patients over a 4-year period at a level I trauma center. Radiographs were defined as either performed for routine surveillance or performed with some clinical correlate on history and examination. Participants received intramedullary nailing for diaphyseal fractures of the femur or tibia. Patients required at least one postoperative radiograph. All patients were subject to our institution's follow-up protocol: visits at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Radiographs that changed management were those that led to alterations in follow-up, directed counseling, or contributed to the decision to proceed with revision surgery. RESULTS: A total of 374 patients were found. Two hundred seventy-seven received at least one post-op radiograph. The median follow-up was 23 weeks. Six hundred seventeen total radiographs were reviewed. Nine radiographs contributed to a change in management (9/617 = 1.5%). No surveillance radiograph taken before 14 weeks resulted in changes in management. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that radiographs taken in the first 3 months post-op in asymptomatic patients treated with lower extremity intramedullary rods do not result in changes to clinical management.