Intramedullary nailing of femoral fractures in adolescents

Fifty femoral shaft fractures were treated with reamed, interlocking, intramedullary nails utilizing a greater trochanteric starting point from 1991 through 1998. The 17 girls and 31 boys ranged in age from 10 to 16 years (mean, 13.2 years) at the time of injury. Average follow-up after fracture was 16 months. All fractures united, and the average leg-length discrepancy was 1 mm (range, -10 mm to +11 mm). No patient had angular or rotational deformities. No patients developed osseous necrosis of the femoral head. Despite intramedullary nailing through the greater trochanteric apophysis, articulotrochanteric distance measurements increased only 4.5 mm at the time of last follow-up. No patient developed significant proximal femoral deformity with some follow-up as far as 60 months from the time of surgery. Intramedullary nailing through a trochanteric starting point is a safe, effective method for treating femur fractures in this adolescent age group.     

Ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures: complications and their treatment

An ipsilateral femoral neck fracture occurs in approximately 6% to 9% of all femoral shaft fractures. Despite this relatively common presentation, decision-making often is difficult. Furthermore, the risk for complications is greater in the treatment of this combination injury pattern than for single-level fractures. A retrospective review of the authors' large trauma database revealed 13 patients who had healing complications develop after their index surgical procedure. Six of the eight (75%) femoral neck nonunions occurring in these 13 patients developed after the use of a second generation, reconstruction-type intramedullary nail. Factors contributing to nonunion of the femoral shaft were the presence of an open fracture, use of an unreamed, small diameter intramedullary nail, and prolonged delay to weightbearing. The femoral neck nonunions healed after either valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy (seven patients) or compression hip screw fixation (one patient). The femoral shaft nonunion proved more difficult than expected to treat with some patients with femoral shaft nonunions requiring more than one operative procedure to achieve union. Lag screw fixation of the femoral neck fracture and reamed intramedullary nailing for shaft fracture stabilization were associated with the fewest complications. Therefore, this approach is recommended as the treatment of choice.     

Treatment of femoral diaphyseal nonunions

There have been conflicting reports regarding treatment of femoral diaphyseal nonunions using reamed intramedullary nailing. Although high union rates have been reported using this technique, not all orthopaedic surgeons have experienced the same success. A retrospective review of charts and radiographs of 39 adult patients with nonunions of the femoral diaphysis treated at the authors' institution with reamed intramedullary nailing, compression, and with and without interlocking was done. The time from the index procedure to nonunion repair was 4 to 75 months (average, 19 months). Fifteen patients had 18 procedures between the index operation and nonunion repair. The average followup from nonunion repair to the most recent examination was 22.5 months (range, 3-108 months) with a median of 15 months. At the last followup, the overall union rate was 74% after one procedure and 97% after two or more procedures. There were seven complications including two infections, one pulmonary embolus, one occurrence of a deep venous thrombosis, a hematoma, and one case of malrotation. The data support the use of antegrade reamed nailing as a successful technique for treatment of most femoral diaphyseal nonunions.     

Primary intramedullary nailing of open femoral shaft fractures

The cases of 60 patients with 63 open femoral fractures treated by primary reamed intramedullary nailing were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two were classified as Type I open fractures, 26 as Type II and 15 as Type III open fractures by Gustilo's classification. All fractures were treated by wound debridement followed by immediate reamed intramedullary nailing. There were five early soft-tissue infections and three late deep infections. Of the late infections, only one was osteomyelitis (1.6%). There were three nonunions and seven malunions. All of the complications were dealt with effectively by standard methods. We concluded that primary reamed intramedullary nailing is an effective alternative for the treatment of Type I and II open femur fractures and for Type III open femur fractures associated with multiple trauma.     

Success of exchange reamed intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft nonunion or delayed union

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the success of exchange reamed femoral nailing in the treatment of femoral nonunion after intramedullary (IM) nailing, and to analyze factors that may contribute to failure of exchange reamed femoral nailing. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive clinical series. SETTING: Level I trauma center and tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-three patients were identified whose radiographs failed to show progression of healing for four months after treatment with a reamed IM femoral nail. Nineteen patients had undergone primary IM nailing of an acute femoral shaft fracture, one patient had been converted to an IM nail after initially being treated in an external fixator, and three patients had previously undergone an unsuccessful exchange reamed nailing. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated by exchange reamed femoral nailing. The diameter of the new nail was one to three millimeters larger than that of the previous nail (the majority were two millimeters larger). The intramedullary canal was overreamed by one millimeter more than the diameter of the nail. Most of the nails were statically locked, and care was taken to avoid distraction of the nonunion site by reverse impaction after distal interlocking was performed or by applying compression with a femoral distractor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Radiographic evaluation of union was determined by the presence of healing on at least three of four cortices. Factors reviewed included the patient's age, smoking history, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, whether the initial fracture was open or closed, the pattern and location of the fracture, the type of nonunion, the increase in nail diameter, whether the nail was dynamically or statically locked, and the results of any intraoperative cultures. RESULTS: Tobacco use was found to have a detrimental impact on the success of exchange reamed nailing. All eight of the nonsmokers healed after exchange reamed nailing, whereas only ten of the fifteen smokers (66.7 percent) healed after exchange reamed nailing. Overall, exchange reamed femoral nailing was successful in eighteen cases (78.3 percent). Three patients achieved union with additional procedures. Intramedullary cultures were positive in five cases; all of these achieved successful union. CONCLUSIONS: Exchange reamed nailing remains the treatment of choice for most femoral diaphyseal nonunions. Exchange reamed IM nailing has low morbidity, may obviate the need for additional bone grafting, and allows full weight-bearing and active rehabilitation. Tobacco use appears to have an adverse effect on nonunion healing after exchange reamed femoral nailing.     

扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合

目的　总结使用扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨、胫骨干骨骨折不愈合、延迟愈合的临床经验。方法　回顾自 1999年 4月～2 0 0 1年 6月使用扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨干、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合病人 2 1例 ,其中股骨 8例 ,胫骨 13例 ,钢板固定术后 ,股骨 3例 ,胫骨 6例。普通髓内针股骨 5例。外固定架胫骨 2例。石膏固定胫骨 3例 ,骨牵引股骨 2例。均采用有限切口切开复位顺行扩髓 ,静力锁定加植骨术。结果　随访半年以上 18例 ,骨折均愈合 ,临近关节功能达正常。无感染、断钉等并发症。结论　采用有限切口切开复位、扩髓、静力锁定治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合 ,具有骨折稳定性可靠、有利于骨折愈合和早期关节活动的优点 ,是治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合的有效方法之一。     

Intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in children via the trochanter tip

Closed rigid intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in children has been associated with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is thought to result from damage to the medial femoral circumflex artery by placing the nail through the piriformis fossa. The authors describe the early results of a technique in which the nail is placed through the tip of the greater trochanter, thus avoiding the piriformis fossa and possible damage to the medial circumflex artery. Between 1988 and 1995, the authors performed this procedure on 34 patients, who ranged in age from 10 years 2 months to 17 years 6 months. Followup time ranged from 1 month to 120 months. There were no infections, nonunions, rotational deformities, or implant failures. Twenty patients with open physes had a followup of 2 years or more. To date, no patient had avascular necrosis of the femoral head develop. The trochanteric tip entry point is recommended for closed rigid intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in children and adolescents.     

Current Concepts: Aseptic Nonunion of Femoral Shaft Diaphysis

Abstract  In spite of increased understanding of biomechanics and improvements of implant design, nonunion of femoral shaft fractures continues to hinder the treatment of these injuries. Femoral nonunion presents a difficult treatment challenge for the surgeon and a formidable personal and economic hardship for the patient. In most series of femoral fractures treated with intramedullary nailing techniques, the incidence of this complication is estimated to be 1%. A higher frequency has recently been reported due to advances in trauma care leading to increased survivorship among severely injured patients and expanded indications of intramedullary nailing. Whereas the treatment of femoral shaft fractures has been extensively described in the orthopedic literature, the data regarding treatment of femoral shaft nonunions are sparse and conflicting, as most of the reported series consisted of a small number of cases. However, careful review of the existing literature does provide some answers regarding either conservative or operative management. The gold standard for femoral shaft nonunions invariably includes surgical intervention in the form of closed reamed intramedullary nailing or exchange nailing, but several alternative methods have been reported including electromagnetic fields, low-intensity ultrasound, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, external fixators and exchange or indirect plate osteosynthesis. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the current treatment modalities for aseptic midshaft femoral nonunion is presented, after a concise overview of the incidence, definition, classification and risk factors of this complication.     

Failure of exchange reamed intramedullary nails for ununited femoral shaft fractures

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of exchange reamed nails for treatment of aseptic femoral delayed unions and nonunions. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PATIENTS: Nineteen patients admitted to the Carolinas Medical Center Level I trauma center from 1990 to 1996 for repair of femoral shaft fracture nonunion following contemporary locked nailing performed at least six months previously. These patients showed no radiographic evidence of progression of fracture healing for three months and had clinical symptoms of nonunion. INTERVENTION: Exchange reamed nails to treat ununited femoral shaft fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Radiographic and clinical evidence of union of the fracture or of the necessity for additional procedures. RESULTS: In 53 percent of the patients the secondary procedure resulted in fracture union, whereas in 47 percent, one or more additional procedures were required. Eight of the nine fractures that did not unite with exchange nailing united after a subsequent procedure (bone grafting, compression plating, or nail dynamization). Neither the type of nonunion, the location of the shaft fracture, the use of static versus dynamic cross-locking, nor the use of tobacco products was statistically predictive of the need for additional procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Reevaluation of routine exchange nailing as the recommended treatment for aseptic femoral delayed union or nonunion may be required. A significant number of patients who undergo reamed exchange nailing will require additional procedures to achieve fracture healing.     

Prospective randomized study of reamed versus unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing: an assessment of procedures

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the procedure of unreamed femoral nailing is simpler, faster, and safer than reamed femoral intramedullary nailing. DESIGN: Prospective randomized. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred femoral shaft fractures without significant concomitant injuries admitted to an academic Level 1 urban trauma center. INTERVENTION: Stabilization of the femoral shaft fracture using a reamed or unreamed technique. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The surgical time, estimated blood loss, fluoroscopy time, and perioperative complications were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: One hundred patients with 100 femoral shaft fractures were correctly prospectively randomized to the study. Thirty-seven patients received reamed and sixty-three patients received unreamed nails. All nails were interlocked proximally and distally. The average surgical time for the reamed nail group was 138 minutes and for unreamed nail group was 108 minutes (p = 0.012). The estimated blood loss for the reamed nail group was 278 milliliters and for the unreamed nail group 186 milliliters (p = 0.034). Reamed intramedullary nailing required an average of 4.72 minutes, whereas unreamed nailing required 4.29 minutes of fluoroscopy time. Seven perioperative complications occurred in the reamed nail group and eighteen in the unreamed nail group. Two patients in the unreamed group required an early secondary procedure. Iatrogenic comminution of the fracture site occurred during three reamed and six unreamed intramedullary nailings. Reaming of the canal was required before the successful placement of three nails in the unreamed group because of canal/nail diameter mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing involves fewer steps and is significantly faster with less intraoperative blood loss than reamed intramedullary nailing. The unreamed technique, however, was associated with a higher incidence of perioperative complications, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.5).     

Intramedullary nailing of the femur: reamed versus nonreamed

All intramedullary nailing creates some loss of endosteal blood supply and an increase in intramedullary pressure, resulting in marrow embolization. In laboratory studies, both reamed and nonreamed intramedullary nailing have led to alteration in selected pulmonary variables. This effect, although transient, appeared more pronounced with reamed techniques than with nonreamed techniques. Concern about the systemic pulmonary effects of reamed intramedullary nailing has led to an increase in the use of nonreamed nailing. The authors of most clinical studies have reported that reamed intramedullary nailing has not been associated with a concomitant increase in pulmonary complications in multiply injured patients, although this point is still controversial. Femoral shaft fractures treated with nonreamed nailing have been shown to have slightly higher rates of delayed union and nonunion compared with those treated with reamed nails. Reamed interlocking intramedullary fixation remains the treatment of choice for femoral shaft fractures in adults. Further study is required to determine whether an identifiable subgroup of trauma patients is adversely affected by intramedullary reaming, which would suggest the need for alternative fixation techniques.     

Treatment of unstable femoral shaft fractures with closed interlocking intramedullary nailing

From 1979 to 1982, 64 femoral shaft fractures in 62 patients were treated by closed interlocking nailing at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, U.S.A., and Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX, U.S.A. Twenty-nine patients sustained multiple system injuries and 29 of the involved extremities (45%) had at least one additional injury. There were 17 (26%) open fractures. Static mode nailing was used to treat 52 fractures; dynamic mode nailing was performed for 12 fractures. Patient follow-up averaged 17 months (range 7-41 months). The average time to union was 13.5 weeks. Normal femoral length within 1 cm was achieved in 97% of cases. Knee range of motion averaged 127 degrees. Complications (9%) included two delayed unions, one nonunion, two cases of shortening or lengthening of more than 1 cm, and one case of malunion with angulation or more than 10 degrees. The delayed unions and nonunions healed after one additional procedure. This study shows that closed interlocking nailing is a safe, effective technique that provides stable fixation in most unstable femoral shaft fractures. This technique represents a major advance in the treatment of difficult femoral shaft fractures that would be poorly suited for standard closed nailing.     

Preliminary clinical and radiographic results with the Fixion intramedullary nail: an inflatable self-locking system for long bone fractures

We present a new inflatable self-locking intramedullary nailing system for the treatment of long bone fractures. The features of this system and the advantages of the technique include: fixation along the entire length of the nail, lack of proximal or distal interlocking screws, optional reaming, reduced exposure of the surgeon to X-ray and reduced operating room time. First preliminary clinical and radiographic results are reported. Out of 41 patients who received implants for closed fractures, 29 were available for follow-up. We observed fracture consolidation in all 29 cases (100%), with absence of nonunions, infections or rotational malalignments. Only in 2 (6.9%) cases were complication reported, consisting in the opening of the fracture after inflation of the nail. Good stability of the nail, however, assured a complete callus formation. We conclude that the use of this intramedullary nail is an innovative, effective, simple and minimally invasive treatment for long bone shaft fractures. Received: 17 January 2001/Accepted: 15 May 2001     

Treatment of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions using reamed intramedullary nailing without bone graft

INTRODUCTION: Intramedullary nailing has long been used successfully in the treatment of aseptic nonunions of the femur and tibia. However, recently the efficacy of reamed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of nonunions of the femur has been questioned by some publications reporting unfavourable results. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment results of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions with intramedullary nailing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed thirty-two patients with femoral or tibial diaphyseal nonunions who were treated with reamed intramedullary nailing between May 2002 and April 2006. Fixation status at the time of treatment were nail in twenty-eight patients (12 femurs, 16 tibiae), plate in three cases (2 femurs, 1 tibia), no implant in one femur. We used a dynamically locked, reamed intramedullary nailing. Only in bone defects greater than 50% of the cortical diameter and more than 2 cm in length was open bone grafting performed. RESULTS: Solid union was achieved in 93% (fourteen of fifteen) of femoral nonunions and 94% (sixteen of seventeen) of tibial nonunions. CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol with a dynamically locked, reamed nailing with the use of an oval hole and no open bone grafting for a defect less than 50% of the diameter and immediate weight bearing was successful in the treatment of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions.     

Distal locking of femoral nails under direct vision through a cortical window

We present a salvage technique for distal femoral interlocking under direct vision through a window in the anterior femoral cortex in a subgroup of six patients, among those presented to our institution during the last 10 years with a femoral shaft fracture treated with reamed, locked intramedullary nailing. The common characteristic of these patients was the performance of distal locking under direct vision through a small window in the anterior femoral cortex because of intraoperative dysfunction of the image intensifier. Screw insertion was successful in all cases. All fractures and all cortical windows healed uneventfully. No postoperative fractures occurred through the cortical defect. This technique, despite being a salvage one, has proven a safe alternative to the common distal targeting techniques. It can be used when an image intensifier is unavailable without jeopardizing the excellent clinical and radiographic outcome of reamed locked nailing of femoral shaft fractures.     

Intramedullary nailing without interlocking screws for femoral and tibial shaft fractures

Background

Intramedullary fixation is the treatment of choice for diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia. Locking the implant can sometimes be cumbersome and time consuming. In our institution, fractures with axial and rotational stability are treated with intramedullary nailing without interlocking.

Methods

All consecutive patients presented in the University Medical Center Utrecht from October 2003 to August 2009 with acute traumatic diaphyseal fractures of the tibia or femur that were considered axial and rotational stable were included. They underwent internal fixation using intramedullary nails without interlocking. Patient records were evaluated for duration of surgery, perioperative complications, consolidation time and re-operations.

Results

Twenty-nine long bone fractures were treated in 27 patients: 20 men and 7 women, with an average age of 28.9 years (range 15.6–54.4). There were 12 femoral fractures and 17 tibial fractures. Sixteen fractures were closed and 13 were open (10 Gustilo 1, 3 Gustilo 2). The mean operating time was 43 min (range 18–68 min) for tibial fractures and 55 min (range 47–150 min) for femoral fractures. Postoperative complications occurred in six patients. Two patients (three fractures) were lost to follow-up. Healing occurred in 25 of the 26 remaining fractures (96 %) without additional interventions. One tibia was secondarily converted to a standard locked nail because of axial and rotational instability. All patients returned to their pre-injury level of activity.

Conclusion

The use of intramedullary nailing without interlocking is associated with minimal complications in selected fractures. The advantages include a short operating time and the simplicity of its application.     

The diaphyseal aseptic tibial nonunions after failed previous treatment options managed with the reamed intramedullary locking nail

BackgroundThe nonunion of open and closed tibial shaft fractures continues to be a common complication of fractures. Tibial nonunions constitute the majority of long bone nonunions seen by orthopaedic surgeons. In this article, we present our approach to the surgical treatment of noninfected tibial shaft nonunions.MethodsBetween 2008 and 2014, 33 patients with aseptic diaphyseal tibial nonunion was treated by reamed intramedullary nailing and were retrospectively reviewed. The initial fracture management consisted of external fixation (27 patients), plate fixation (2 patients) and cast treatment (4 patients). All patients, preoperatively, were evaluated for the signs of the infection, by the same protocol. There were 13 hypertrophic, 16 oligotrophic (atrophic) and 4 defect nonunions registered in our material. The primary goal was to perform a closed intramedullary nailing on antegrade manner. An open procedure was only unavoidable when implants had to be removed or an osteotomy had to be performed to improve the alignment. Functional rehabilitation was encouraged with the assistance of a physiotherapist early postoperative. Patients were examined regularly during followed-up for a minimum of 12 months period for clinical and radiological signs of union, infection, malunion, malalignment, limb shortening, and implant failure.ResultsThe time that elapsed from injury to intramedullary nailing ranged from 9 months to 48 months (mean 17 months).Open intramedullary nailing was unavoidable in 25 cases (75,75%), while closed nailing was performed in 8 patients (24,25%). Osteotomy or resection of the fibula was performed in 78,8% of the cases. All patients were followed up in average period of 2 years postoperative (range 1–4 years), and 31(93,9%) patients achieved a solid union within the first 8 months. Mean union time was 5±0.8 months. Complications included 2 (6,06%) patients, one with deep infection and another case with absence of bone healing. Anatomical alignment has been achieved in the majority of patients, 28 patients (84,8%). The additionally autogenous bone chips were added in 4 patients (12,1%) where cortical defect was greater than 50% of the bone circumference.ConclusionIn conclusion, a reamed intramedullary nail provides optimal conditions for stable fixation, good rotational control, adequate alignment, early weight-bearing and a high union rate of tibial non-unions. Reaming of the medullary canal with preservation of periosteal sleeve create the "breeding ground" for sound healing of tibial shaft nonunions. Additionally cancellous bone grafting is recommended only in the case of defect nonunion.     

Interlocking nailing of femoral shaft fractures with an extremely narrow medullary canal is associated with iatrogenic fractures

IntroductionControversy exists regarding the use of reamed interlocking nailing in femoral shafts with extremely narrow medullary canals (diameter ≤ 9 mm). The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the association of age and sex on femoral canal diameter in patients with a simple femoral shaft fracture and (2) compare the outcomes and complications of interlocking nailing between wide and extremely narrow intramedullary canals.Patients and methodsFor the purposes of this retrospective cohort study, consecutive patients with simple femoral shaft fractures were recruited between January 2009 and December 2016. The patient demographic data were analyzed. Then, fractures treated with interlocking nailing were divided into the wide group (canal diameter > 9 mm) and narrow group. The primary outcome was union rate, and the secondary outcomes were complications such as thermal necrosis, fat embolism syndrome, iatrogenic fracture, and implant failure.ResultsThis study included 340 femoral shaft fractures. The average canal diameter was 9.97 ± 1.79 mm, with significantly wider canals in men than in women. Overall, 289 of the patients had undergone interlocking nail fixation, and a similar union rate and complications were noted between the wide canal and narrow canal groups, with the exception of the incidence of iatrogenic fracture.ConclusionsFemoral shaft fractures associated with extremely narrow medullary canals are more common in women than in men. There was a similar union rate found when using interlocking nailing in a femoral shaft fracture in cases with extremely narrow and wider canals. Iatrogenic fracture is the only significant risk when using interlocking nailing in femoral shafts with extremely narrow canals.     

Exchange reamed nailing for aseptic nonunion of the tibia

BACKGROUND: Exchange reamed nailing of the tibia is a common procedure in the treatment of an aseptic tibial nonunion. However, reports in the literature supporting this technique are limited. METHODS: Forty patients with a tibial nonunion after initial unreamed intramedullary nailing were retrospectively assessed after an exchange reamed nailing. The main outcome measurements included radiographic and clinical union as well as time from exchange reamed nailing to union. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients achieved union of their fracture (95%). The average time from exchange nailing to union was 29 +/- 21 weeks. Complications included one deep vein thrombosis (2.5%) and two hardware failures (5%). CONCLUSION: Exchange reamed nailing for nonunions of the tibia results in a high union rate and is associated with a low complication rate. This technique is recommended as a standard procedure for aseptic tibial nonunions after initial unreamed intramedullary nailing.     

带锁髓内钉固定并植骨治疗陈旧性股骨干骨折

目的 评价带锁髓内钉并植骨治疗股骨干陈旧性骨折的临床疗效和优点。方法 对1996年2月～2003年11月收治的47例陈旧性股骨干骨折患者进行回顾性分析。其中植骨组28例，非植骨组19例。采用切开复位，带锁髓内钉扩髓，静力型固定，根据骨折部位生长情况改为动力型固定。结果 术后随访39例，随访lO～25个月，平均随访时间14．2个月。植骨组骨折愈合率为95．6％(22／23)，感染率为4．3％(1／23)，骨折平均愈合时间为6．3个月，非植骨组则分别为62.5%(10／16)，6．25％(1／16)和9．7个月。临近关节功能达正常，无感染、断钉等并发症。结论 带锁髓内钉静力固定能有效控制有害的剪应力，同时对骨折有一定的加压作用，可提供早期坚强的内固定，同时，植骨后骨折愈合快，并发症少，是治疗陈旧性骨折的理想方法。