Nailing of Femur Fractures - The Actual Results

Abstract

This study was a retrospective review to determine the actual results of intramedullary nailing for femur shaft fractures in a trauma hospital. Of 178 consecutive femurs treated with intramedullary nails, 128 fractures could be evaluated at 6 mo. Most fractures were type A. All 128 cases were treated with static interlocking nail. There were 14 (11 %) fractures that did not heal. 50 % of the open fractures and 25 % of the type C fractures did not heal. Opening a fracture to improve reduction was performed 12 times, and all these cases healed without infection.

Key words

Femur - intramedullary nailing - non-union

References

• 1 Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society . Nonunion following intramedullary nailing of the femur with and without reaming: Results of a multicenter randomized clinical trial.  JBJS [Am]. 2003;  85 2093-2096
• 2 Küntscher G. Die Marknagelung von Knochenbruchen.  Arch kIm Chir. 1940;  200 443-455
• 3 Küntscher G. Intramedullary Surgical Technique and its Place in Orthopaedic Surgery.  J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1965;  47 809-818
• 4 Arslan H, Subaý M, Kesemenli C, Ersuz H. Occurrence and treatment of nonunion in long bone fractures in children.  Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2002;  122 494-498
• 5 Noumi T, Yokoyama K, Ohtsuka H, Nakamura K, Itoman M. Intramedullary nailing for open fractures of the femoral shaft: evaluation of contributing factors on deep infection and nonunion using multivariate analysis.  Injury. 2005;  36 1085-1093
• 6 Malik M H, Harwood P, Diggle P, Khan S A. Factors affecting rates of infection and nonunion in intramedullary nailing.  J Bone Joint Surg [Br]. 2004;  86 556-560
• 7 Wolinsky P R et al. Reamed intramedullary nailing of the femur: 551 cases.  J Trauma. 1999;  46 392-399
• 8 Winquist R A et al. Closed intramedullary nailing of femoral fractures. A report of 520 cases.  J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1984;  66 529-539
• 9 Brumback R J et al. Intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures. Part II: Fracture-healing with static interlocking fixation.  J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1988;  70 1453-1462