M. Braten et al., FEMORAL-SHAFT FRACTURES TREATED BY INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING - A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY FOCUSING ON PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE METHOD, Injury, 26(6), 1995, pp. 379-383
One hundred and sixteen patients with 120 femoral fractures treated by
reamed intramedullary nailing were reviewed. All fractures but one he
aled without additional procedures. One comminuted fracture had a bone
transplant after 8 months to enhance bone remodelling in the lateral
part of the fracture area. Three patients developed adult respiratory
distress syndrome; all patients survived. Deep infection complicated o
ne osteosynthesis. Thromboembolism was recorded in Five cases. Twenty-
three patients had a true torsional deformity (anteversion difference
of 15 degrees or more), but only nine had complaints. Four of these pa
tients needed a corrective osteotomy. Shortening of 10 mm or more was
revealed in 11 patients; only one was above 20 mm. Prior to nail remov
al, hip and knee pain was present in 26 and 20 per cent, respectively.
Few patients had such pain after nail removal. We conclude that reame
d IM nailing of femoral fractures gives excellent fracture healing, va
pid patient recovery and few complications. Some problems are, however
, related to the method: torsional deformity occurs frequently, but wi
ll not always cause complaints. Shortening is a potential problem, but
dramatic shortenings can be avoided when static locking is used. Hip
and knee pain occurs frequently, but will usually disappear after nail
removal.