Femoral insufficiency fractures in the elderly – Excessive medial femoral bowing complicates intramedullary nailing
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of low-energy femoral insufficiency fractures in elderly patients.
Methods: The study retrospectively evaluated the clinical course of 4 patients with low-energy femoral shaft and subtrochanteric fractures admitted to our department between 2009 and 2011. Three patients had prior long-term alendronate therapy and one had prior glucocorticoid therapy.
Results: There were 5 femoral shaft fractures, 2 incomplete shaft fractures, 2 subtrochanteric and 1 intertrochanteric fractures. All femoral shaft fractures had characteristic fracture patterns with thickened lateral cortices at the proximal fragment. Six femurs had excessive medial femoral bowing, which complicated intramedullary nailing. Additional fractures were seen on both femurs of one patient who had been primarily treated with short implants. A bifocal femoral fracture was seen in one femur. Union was achieved in all patients. Two patients were able to walk independently, one with a cane and one with double crutches.
Conclusion: We suggest the addition of another radiographic pattern of ‘excessive medial femoral bowing’ in low-energy femoral shaft fractures in elderly patients. This bowing complicates intramedullary nailing. Moreover, these insufficiency fractures should be fixed with long cephalomedullary nails.
Keywords
References
- Einhorn TA, Bogdan Y, Tornetta P 3rd. Bisphosphonate- associated fractures of the femur: pathophysiology and treatment. J Orthop Trauma 2014;28:433-8. CrossRef
- Giusti A, Hamdy NA, Papapoulos SE. Atypical fractures of the femur and bisphosphonate therapy: A systematic review of case/case series studies. Bone 2010;47:169-80.
- Çakmak S, Mahiroğulları M, Keklikçi K, Sarı E, Erdik B, Rodop O. Bilateral low-energy sequential femoral shaft fractures in patients on long-term bisphosphonate thera- py. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2013;47:162-72. CrossRef
- Graham J, Irgit K, Smith WR, Bowen TR. Diaphyseal femur fractures associated with bisphosphonate use. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2013;47:255-60. CrossRef
- Murphy CG, O’Flanagan S, Keogh P, Kenny P. Subtro- chanteric stress fractures in patients on oral bisphospho- nate therapy: an emerging problem. Acta Orthop Belg 2011;77:632-7.
- Yoon RS, Hwang JS, Beebe KS. Long-term bisphospho- nate usage and subtrochanteric insufficiency fractures: a cause for concern? J Bone Joint Surg Br 2011;93:1289-95.
- Feldstein AC, Black D, Perrin N, Rosales AG, Friess D, Boardman D, et al. Incidence and demography of femur fractures with and without atypical features. J Bone Miner Res 2012;27:977-86. CrossRef
- Weil YA, Rivkin G, Safran O, Liebergall M, Foldes AJ. The outcome of surgically treated femur fractures as- sociated with long-term bisphosphonate use. J Trauma 2011;71:186-90. CrossRef
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Mehmet Hakan Ozsoy
This is me
Mehmet Atıf Erol Aksekili
This is me
Onur Kizilay
This is me
Veysel Ercan Dincel
This is me
Nevres Hurriyet Aydogan
This is me
Arzu Ozsoy
This is me
Publication Date
November 12, 2014
Submission Date
November 12, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2014 Volume: 48 Number: 5