Locked nailing with interfragmentary wiring for humeral nonunions

OBJECTIVE: Locked nailing for humeral nonunions is threatened by residual fracture gap and fracture motion. This article describes the clinical experience of using interfragmentary wiring to solve these problems. METHODS: Interfragmentary wiring was used in 21 consecutive humeral nonunions treated with humeral locked nails. The average age of patients was 49.5 years, with an average nonunion duration of 14.4 months. Eighteen patients had previous operations. Nonunions were located at the proximal third in 4, the middle third in 10, and the distal third in 7. Antegrade nailing was used in 11 and retrograde nailing in 10. Sixteen nonunions were nailed with 8-mm nails and five with 7-mm nails. Interfragmentary wiring was applied to either the posterior or the lateral cortex of humeri in a figure-of-eight configuration. Bone grafting was performed in all and average follow-up time was 22 months. RESULTS: With a single operation, all patients achieved osseous union in, on average, 18.3 weeks. One patient with segmental nonunion suffered acute renal failure 4 months after operation, but fracture healing was not affected. Wire infection occurred in one patient with preoperative infection at the nail entry site and was treated by implant removal. Other complications including two transient radial nerve palsies and one brachial artery injury did not affect the final outcome. At follow-up, all but four patients had complete recovery of shoulder flexion and abduction. The average postoperative Neer score (91.1 points) was significantly better than the average preoperative score (65.5 points). All but three patients had complete recovery of elbow motion. CONCLUSION: Interfragmentary wiring, a safe procedure if properly performed, could effectively decrease the residual fracture gap and fracture motion in locked nailing of humeral nonunions. Further biomechanical studies and prospective, randomized, controlled studies are warranted.     

Treatment of humeral shaft delayed unions and nonunions with humeral locked nails

OBJECTIVE: To report experience with use of humeral locked nails in treating humeral delayed unions and nonunions. The following techniques yielded encouragingly good results: static locking, short-to-long segment nailing, bone grafting, fracture compression, and minimal surgical trauma. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 41 consecutive patients with 13 delayed unions and 28 nonunions were treated with humeral locked nails. Delay from trauma to surgery averaged 4.2 months for delayed union and 15.5 months for nonunion. The average age of patients was 50.2 years; average follow-up time was 23.2 months. There were 7 proximal-third fractures, 21 middle-third fractures, and 13 distal-third fractures. The antegrade approach was used for 13 fractures and retrograde for 28. Open nailing was performed in 39 fractures and closed nailing in 2. If the fracture motion was still present after nail insertion, axial compression of the fracture site was specially applied. Bone grafting was performed in the fractures with open nailing. Thirty-four fractures were nailed with 8-mm nails, and 7 fractures were nailed with 7-mm nails. RESULTS: With a single operation, all but two patients achieved osseous union in, on average, 5.6 months. One of these two patients eventually gained union after another surgery with fracture compression along the original nail and concurrent bone grafting. The second patient, undergoing hemodialysis for chronic renal failure, had persistent nonunion. At follow-up, for patients with antegrade nailing, all but four patients had less than 20 degrees limitation of shoulder abduction. For patients with retrograde nailing, all but two had less than 10 degrees limitation of elbow motion. Only the patient with persistent nonunion had continual pain and significant impairment of arm function. CONCLUSIONS: Humeral locked nailing seems to be effective for humeral delayed unions or nonunions. It may be an acceptable alternative for fractures unsuited for plate fixation, such as those with comminution, osteoporosis, or a severely adhered radial nerve.     

Complications of locked nailing in humeral shaft fractures

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the complications of humeral locked nailing. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2000, 161 humeral shaft fractures (98 acute fractures and 63 delayed unions or nonunions) in 159 patients treated with humeral locked nails were followed up for an average of 25.4 months. There were 89 men and 70 women, with an average age of 53.5 years. Acute fractures included 68 closed, 18 type I, 8 type II, 3 type IIIA, and 1 type IIIB open fractures. Thirty-six nonunions had previous operations. In general, acute fractures were treated with closed nailing and nonunions were treated with open nailing with bone grafting. Since 1998, interfragmentary wiring has been added in nonunions to compress the fracture. RESULTS: In total, 30 patients had 31 significant complications. Nine of them were persistent nonunions, six from acute fractures and three from nonunions. Fracture gap was associated with a significantly higher risk of nonunion. The risk of operative comminution was significantly higher in retrograde nailing, and operative comminution resulted in a significantly higher risk of nonunion. Seven of the nine nonunions underwent revisional nailing and achieved eventual union. Removal of the protruded screws was performed in two cases. Other complications included shoulder impairment, elbow impairment, angular malunion, and post-nailing radial nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Many complications of humeral locked nailing can be prevented by improving the implant design or surgical techniques. The patients with persistent nonunion can be reliably treated by revisional nailing and bone grafting.     

Treatment of nonunions of humeral fractures with inter-locking intramedullary nailing

Objective： To introduce the experience of treating nonunions of humeral fractures with interlocking intramedullary nailing.
Methods： Twelve patients with humeral nonunions were treated with interlocking intramedullary nailing. The time interval between trauma and surgery was 10.5 months on average. Open reduction with anterograde approach was performed. Axial compression was specially applied to the fracture site with humeral nail holder after insertion of distal locked screws. Iliac bone grafting was added.
Results： The average follow-up period was 21 months （ranging 9-51 months）. All patients achieved osseous union 5.8 months after treatment on average. Eleven patients hadgood functions of the shoulder joints and the upper extremities. No patient experienced any permanent neurological deficit. Refracture of the original ununited region occurred in one patient after removal of the internal fixator one year later, but union was achieved after closed re-intramedullary nailing fixation.
Conclusion： Humeral interlocking intramedullary nailing is an effective alternative treatment for humeral nonunion.     

Locked-nail treatment of humeral surgical neck nonunions

OBJECTIVE: The authors' purpose was to report their experience with the use of locked nails in treating humeral surgical neck nonunions. Locked nailing has the advantages of minimal soft tissue trauma, automatic fracture reduction, and stable fracture fixation. METHODS: Excluding 3 patients with severe medical illness, a total of 15 consecutive patients with 15 nonunions were treated by humeral locked nailing and bone grafting. Delay from trauma to surgery averaged 13.8 months, and 10 patients had previous operations. The average age of patients was 55.1 years; average follow-up time was 22.4 months. There were two hypertrophic and 13 atrophic nonunions. The average preoperative Neer score for shoulder joints was 53.5. All but three cases had varus deformity, with an average angle of 32.3 degrees. RESULTS: Seven nonunions were nailed with 8-mm nails and eight with 7-mm nails. With a single operation, all but one patient achieved osseous union in an average of 5.4 months. This one patient, who had a Neer score of 72, refused further surgery. At follow-up, 13 of the 15 patients had excellent or good functional recovery of shoulder joints, with an average Neer score of 86.7. Four patients had residual varus angulation averaging 15.5 degrees. For patients with solid union, the average range of shoulder motion was 152.3 degrees in flexion and 146.4 degrees in abduction. No patients had significant limitation of elbow motion. Three patients had occasional shoulder pain and no patients had evident shoulder impingement. CONCLUSION: For humeral surgical neck nonunions in which the head fragment still preserves the greater tuberosity, locked nailing with transfixing screws appeared to be a useful alternative, especially in fractures with osteoporosis, severe varus deformity, or severe soft tissue scarring.     

Treatment of humeral diaphyseal nonunions by interlocked nailing and autologous bone grafting

Twenty seven patients with humeral diaphyseal nonunion treated with interlocked nailing and autogenous bone grafting were retrospectively assessed. The mean age was 37 years (28 to 59 years). There were 16 women and 11 men. An average of 11 months (8 to 36 months) had elapsed between the initial trauma or treatment and presentation in our clinic. The nonunion site was in the distal third of the humerus in 18 patients (66%) and in the middle third in 9 (34%). Seventeen (73%) had hypertrophic and 10 (37%) atrophic nonunion. Patients were treated with locked intramedullary nailing and autogenous cancellous bone grafting. The mean follow-up was 42 months (28 to 62 months), and the mean time to union was 4.8 months (2.5 to 11 months). Three patients developed superficial infection. Union was achieved in all cases but one, in which there was multiple nerve injury. According to Steward and Hundley's scoring, results were good in 24 patients, fair in 2, and poor in one. Interlocked nailing and autologous bone grafting has a good rate of union provided nails of appropriate diameter are used and distal and proximal locking is performed correctly. We think that its low rate of infection, low risk of injury to the radial nerve, and low requirement for soft tissue dissection make it a suitable choice in the treatment of nonunions of the humeral diaphysis.     

肱骨交锁髓内钉治疗肱骨骨折术后骨不连

目的介绍应用肱骨交锁髓内钉治疗肱骨骨折术后骨不连的经验。方法1997年10月～2001年7月,应用肱骨交锁髓内钉治疗12例肱骨骨折术后骨不连患者,其中肥大型5例,萎缩型2例,假关节形成5例。受伤至骨不连手术的时间平均为10．5个月(5～33个月)。手术采用开放复位顺行置入髓内钉,锁入远端交锁钉后向近端打拔以使断端加压,自体髂骨及RBX植骨。结果所有患者获平均21个月(9～51个月)随访。12例患者骨不连均获得愈合,平均愈合时间为5．8个月(3．5～8．0个月)。其中1例去除髓内钉后1年于原骨不连部位发生再骨折,重新植骨内固定而获得愈合。11例肩关节及上肢功能恢复良好。所有患者未遗留神经损伤症状。结论肱骨交锁髓内钉为治疗肱骨骨折术后骨不连的有效方法。     

Revision with plates of humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the results achieved after revision with plates of humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 32 patients with humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing, treated by internal fixation with plates between 1998 and 2012. Nonunions were diaphyseal in 19 cases, they were located in the proximal humeral metaphysis in nine cases, and in the distal humeral metaphysis in four cases. There were 11 atrophic nonunions and 21 oligotrophic nonunions. Initial treatment was performed with static locked nails in 12 cases, nails with expansive locking systems in 11 cases, and using thin elastic nails in nine cases. The nails were placed antegrade in 18 cases and retrograde in 14 cases. Time between initial surgery and revision surgery averaged 14.5 months. In seven diaphyseal nonunions, the intramedullary nail was left in-situ. Bone graft was added in 25 cases.

Results

Follow-up averaged 35 months. Union was achieved in all cases, after an average of 3.8 months. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at last follow-up averaged 14 points, and Constant’s score averaged 82 points. The analogue scale of pain averaged 0.8 points. Out of seven patients with radial nerve compromise, six recovered completely and one needed tendon transfers.

Conclusions

Revision with plates after failed intramedullary humeral nailing achieved union and good predictable objective and subjective results in all cases. Adequate implant selection and meticulous surgical technique are necessary to achieve successful osteosynthesis and bony union.     

髓内钉固定结合自体髂骨植骨治疗肱骨干骨不连

目的 探讨髓内钉固定结合自体髂骨植骨治疗肱骨干骨不连的疗效。方法 1999年6月至2008年5月共收治27例肱骨干骨不连患者,男14例,女13例;年龄24～65岁,平均35.5岁;左侧11例,右侧16例;骨不连部位：中上段6例,中段16例,中下段5例。骨不连类型：肥大型22例,萎缩型5例。所有患者均1～4次手术史,平均2.3次。16例采用肱骨交锁髓内钉固定,其中1例闭合穿髓内钉,5例采用更换原髓内钉后外加钢缆张力带固定;11例采用肱骨膨胀髓内钉。除1例闭合复立固定的患者外,其余26例患者均行自体髂骨植骨。结果 26例患者术后获1年3个月至8年6个月（平均4年2个月）随访,骨不连均获骨性愈合,愈合时间为4～8个月（平均5.4个月）。肩关节功能按Neer评分标准评定：优12例,良8例,可6例,优良率为76.9％。肘关节功能按Mayo评分标准评定：优23例,良3例,优良率为100％。1例桡神经损伤患者术后6个月恢复伸腕、伸拇及伸指功能。结论 肱骨髓内钉固定结合自体髂骨植骨治疗肱骨干骨不连具有骨愈合率高、对肩肘关节影响小等优点。     

附加锁定加压钢板固定联合植骨治疗股骨转子下无菌性骨不连的疗效分析

目的:探讨附加锁定加压钢板联合植骨治疗股骨转子下无菌性骨不连的疗效。方法:回顾性分析2016年10月至2019年10月期间上海交通大学附属第六人民医院骨科收治的32例股骨转子下骨折髓内钉固定术后无菌性骨不连患者资料。男25例,女7例;年龄为27~68岁,平均50.5岁;骨不连时间为9~24个月,平均12.2个月。骨不连...     

钢板系统治疗髓内固定失败的股骨无菌性骨不连疗效观察

目的探讨保留髓内钉添加锁定钢板治疗股骨骨折髓内钉固定失败术后无菌性骨不连的疗效。 方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2015年1月新疆自治区人民医院骨科中心收治的因髓内钉固定失败而造成的股骨无菌性骨不连的患者18例,其中男性10例,女性8例;年龄35~75岁,平均（49±5）岁;骨不连时间6~34个月,平均（17.6±2.3）个月。所有病例均采用保留原髓内钉添加锁定钢板固定联合自体髂骨骨移植术进行治疗,观察患者术后下地活动时间、骨折愈合时间、术后并发症等。 结果18例患者均获得随访,随访时间6~20个月,平均（12.0±1.4）个月。骨不连均愈合,愈合时间5~14个月,平均（8.3±1.6）个月。1例出现切口表面感染,经治疗后痊愈;患者术后VAS评分由（6.0±1.3）分降至（2.0±1.4）分,差异有统计学意义（t=7.312,P<0.05）,术前及末次随访Johner-wruch评分优良率差异有统计学意义（χ²=28.000,P<0.05）。所有患者无畸形愈合。 结论锁定钢板联合自体髂骨植骨治疗股骨干骨折髓内钉固定术后无菌性骨不连疗效确切、可靠,可用于股骨干骨折髓内钉固定术后的无菌性骨不连。     

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.     

Augmentative Ilizarov external fixation after failure of diaphyseal union with intramedullary nailing

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of the Ilizarov circular fixator and nail retention in treating diaphyseal nonunion following previous intramedullary nailing. DESIGN: Retrospectively reviewed, consecutive series. Mean duration of follow-up after achieving bone union: 19.2 months (range 6 to 33 months). SETTING: A tertiary referral center for nonunion surgery. PATIENTS: Nine patients (two femoral, three tibial, and four humeral nonunions) were included in the study. All patients were referred from other centers after failure to achieve union with intramedullary nailing. Patients who had nonunion with other fixation devices in situ, those with active infection and nonunion following nonoperative treatment, were excluded from the study. The patients had undergone an average of 2.4 operations (range 1 to 5 operations) before application of the Ilizarov fixator. All patients completed the study. INTERVENTION: The circular fixator was used to compress the nonunion site from without, retaining the intramedullary nail in each case. We excluded a patient who had his nonunion site explored followed by bone excision and transport. The mean duration of fixator treatment was 6.2 months (3 to 11 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Clinical and x-ray evidence of bone union, infection, residual deformity, shortening, and assessment of functional outcome. RESULTS: Bone union was achieved in all nine patients using the circular fixator over the nail. The bone results were graded as six excellent, one good, and two fair. All patients reported a reduction in pain and satisfaction with their final outcome. CONCLUSIONS: There is a role for the use of the Ilizarov fixator with nail retention in resistant long bone diaphyseal nonunion in carefully selected patients. This method can achieve high union rates where other treatment methods have failed.     

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.     

Management of femoral diaphyseal nonunion after nailing with augmentative locked plating and bone graft

Objectives: Exchange nailing (EN) for aseptic femoral shaft nonunion is currently a standard orthopaedic treatment modality. However, according to recent studies there is occasionally a high failure rate when EN is used. In the present study, augmentative locked plating and bone graft was used as an alternative method for treating such cases. The purpose of this study was to report the treatment outcomes of selected femoral diaphyseal nonunions that had initially been treated by nailing. Methods: Thirteen patients with femoral diaphyseal nonunions underwent revision surgery with locked plate and bone graft. The inclusion criteria were: (a) nonisthmic nonunion; (b) atrophic/oligotrophic nonunion. All patients were managed by augmentative locked plating and bone graft. Results: All patients were followed up for a mean of 1.2 years (range, 1–2 years). After revision surgery all nonunions achieved bony union, the average union time being 7.5 months (range, 6–12 months). No major complications were observed in this case series. Conclusion: Augmentative locked plating is an effective and simple technique for treatment of femoral diaphyseal nonunion after nailing in selected cases.     

Treatment of aseptic nonunion after intramedullary nailing fixation with locking plate

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of locking plate combined with bone grafting in the treatment of aseptic nonunion following intramedullary nailing fixation of fractures of the long bones. Methods: Thirty‐eight consecutive patients treated in our hospital between January 2004 and December 2006 were included in this retrospective study. The nonunions included 20 femurs, 15 tibias, and 3 humeri. The duration of non‐union ranged from 6 to 84 months and 21 (55.3%) of them were located around the metaphysis of the affected long bones. There were 12 women and 26 men with a mean age of 39.2 years (range, 9–70 years). Locking plate combined with bone grafting was the procedure chosen to treat every case of nonunion in this series. The clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: All patients were followed up for 6–20 months (average 11.6 months). After locking plate fixation combined with bone grafting, union was achieved in all cases, the average healing time being 5.3 months (range, 4–8 months). Infection of the superficial incision occurred in three cases (7.9%) and delayed healing of the incision in one case, all of which healed with no further complications. The function of the adjacent joints was excellent to good in 30 patients (78.9%), fair in 7 (18.4%) and poor in 1 (2.6%) after follow‐up. Conclusion: Locking plate fixation combined with bone grafting is a highly effective treatment for aseptic nonunions of the long bones after intramedullary nailing fixation, especially in the case of metaphyseal nonunion.     

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.     

Locked nailing for nonunion of the tibia.

We treated 24 patients with nonunion of tibial shaft fractures by locked intramedullary nailing, 18 by open and six by closed techniques. Union was achieved in 22 patients, failing only in two patients with active infection. Locked nailing prevented recurrence of deformity and allowed the patients to mobilise without external support. Supplementary bone grafting was essential only for major defects.     

Flexible medullary nailing of acute tibial shaft fractures

In a nonrandomized prospective study, 111 tibial shaft fractures (55 closed, 56 open) were treated with flexible intramedullary nails. Open injuries were nailed immediately following irrigation and debridement in the vast majority of cases. Ninety-four percent of the fractures united in an average time of 18.8 weeks. There were seven nonunions (6.3%), all of which healed following a secondary procedure. Six patients demonstrated delay in union but healed their fractures within 26 weeks (5.4%). Five patients developed angulatory malunions between 6 degrees and 10 degrees after nailing (4.5%). Three patients had rotational malalignment requiring treatment (2.7%). There were four deep wound infections, which required irrigation and debridement (3.6%). In two cases the nails were retained and in two they were replaced with an external fixator. In one patient, chronic osteomyelitis developed. Flexible medullary nailing extends the indications for intramedullary fixation of tibial shaft fractures because maintenance of length, alignment, and rotation are usually possible.