Pathologic fractures due to metastatic disease - A retrospective study of 160 surgically treated fractures

Orthopaedic surgeons are increasingly confronted with metastatic fractures. As the majority of metastatic fractures never heal, surgical treatment is required. The goals of surgical therapy are to achieve early mobilization, relief pain and improve quality of life. One hundred twenty nine patients w ith 160 metastatic fractures of a long bone, completed or impending, were r etrospectively analysed with regard to the type of treatment, effect on pai n relief and mobility. Seven of the patients (4.4%) died postoperatively, a good functional result was obtained in 86.9% of the cases and for all pati ents a good analgesic effect was achieved. In 3.75% of the cases a mechanic al complication was seen which needed reintervention. In general, the only indication for endoprosthesis is an intracapsular or very proximal lesion. In almost all other cases, intramedullary nailing is preferred.