Intravenous Skin Changes Following Treatment of Tibial Fracture and Associated Factors

 Background and purpose: Skin complications may occur in distal tibial fractures in poor skin and soft tissue conditions and poor blood flow. The aim of this study was to evaluate venous skin changes one to six years after tibial fractures. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 140 patients with tibial fracture who were treated with one of the intramedullary methods of indigo, plaque or external fixator in Babol Shahid Beheshti Hospital between 2012 and 2017. Patients were thoroughly examined and their information was collected from the records. Information including number of previous years of trauma, gender, age at the time of trauma, family history of varicose veins, surgical method, trauma energy intensity (high, low), and type of fracture (open, closed) were investigated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.85±16.1 years at the time of trauma. Of the total subjects, 50% developed no skin changes. The highest and lowest rates of venous insufficiency were seen in patients with reticular veins involvement (39.3%) and those with skin atrophy (2.1%). Most skin disorders were observed in cases of open fractures, trauma with high severity, and in women. The passage of time and age over 40 years at the time of trauma increased the rate of venous insufficiency of the skin. But, no relationship was found between the type of surgery and the possibility of venous insufficiency. Conclusion: According to this study, number of years after trauma (more than four years), female gender, age over 40 years, high trauma energy, and open fracture are associated with skin venous changes. Supportive treatments in early years after the trauma could reduce pain and further treatment costs.