Radiographic and functional results of osteosynthesis with locked unreamedintramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in adults
Abstract
Methods : Seventy-eight femoral shaft fractures of 70 adult patients (57 men, 16 women; mean age 36 years; range 18 to 77 years) were treated with locked unreamed intramedullary nailing. The fractures were on the right in 39, on the left in 29, and bilateral in five patients. Eighteen patients(24.7%) had open fractures and 28 patients had associated pathologies. The mean time from injury to surgery was 10.7 days(range 3 to 15 days). The fractures were classified according to the Winquist-Hansen system and functional results were evaluated according to the Thoresen criteria. The mean follow-up was 25 months(range 12 to 54 months).
Results : Union was achieved in 73 fractures (93.6%) of 69 patients within a mean duration of 14 weeks (range 10 to 28 weeks). Four fractures (5.2%) united after dynamization and one patient (1.2%) required revision with a circular external fixator following dynamization. The mean duration of hospitalization was 19.8 days (range 8 to 26 days). According to the Thoresen criteria, the results were excellent or good in 64 patients (87.7%), and moderate or poor in nine patients (12.3%). Fifty-six (76.7%) and 13 (17.8%) patients returned to previous work and daily activities with no or minor limitations in a mean of 12 weeks, respectively. Perioperatively, a distal fissure occurred in nine patients, and distal locked screws were improperly placed in two patients. Postoperative complications included delayed union in four patients, nonunion in one patient, and superficial infection at the site of distal screws in two patients.
Conclusion : Intramedullary locked nailing may be the preferred method in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in adults due to high union but low complication rates, early mobilization of the patient, and satisfactory functional results.
Keywords
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Metin Uzun
This is me
Yalin Dirik
This is me
Erden Erturer
This is me
Irfan Ozturk
This is me
Bulent Aksoy
This is me
Publication Date
September 11, 2006
Submission Date
March 7, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2005 Volume: 39 Number: 5