J Korean Fract Soc.  2009 Jul;22(3):145-151. 10.12671/jkfs.2009.22.3.145.

Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing or the Treatment of Segmental Femoral Shaft Fracture Including Distal Part

• Yoon JH
• Ahn BW
• Kim CK
• Jin JW
• Lee JH
• Cho HK
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2063902
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2009.22.3.145

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the retrograde intramedullary nailing for the treatment of segmental femoral shaft fracture including distal part.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed 15 patients of segmental femoral fracture, who had treated with retrograde intramedullary nailing and followed-up more than 1 year from January 2003 to October 2007. There were 10 men, 5 women, and the mean age was 45 years old. There were associated fracture in 10 cases. We evaluate the time for union, non-union and malunion by radiologic finding and functional assessment by Sanders' criteria.
RESULTS
The mean time of union was 21 weeks. There was one delayed union in proximal fracture site. There was no shortening more than 1.5 cm, no angular deformity more than 10 degrees, no postoperative infection or instability. According to Sanders' criteria, there were excellent clinical results in 9 cases, good results in 5 cases and fair result in 1 case.
CONCLUSION
The retrograde intramedullary nailing can be a useful method for treatment of segmental femoral shaft fracture including distal part.

Keyword

Femur; Segmental fracture; Retrograde intramedullary nail

MeSH Terms

Congenital Abnormalities
Female
Femoral Fractures
Femur
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary
Humans
Male

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Initial anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of a 59-year-old female with segmented femoral shaft fracture and ipsilateral patellar fracture. (B) Femoral shaft was fixed with retrograde intramedullary nailing and patellar fracture was fixed with Tension Bend Wiring. (C) Follow-up radiographs, made at 17-month after operation, showed that well united femoral shaft fracture and patellar fracture.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Initial anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of a 62-year-old male with segmented femoral shaft fracture, ipsilateral femoral neck fracture and ipsilateral patellar fracture. (B) Femoral shaft was fixed with retrograde intramedullary nailing, neck was fixed with 3 cannulated cancellous screws and the patella was fixed with tension bend wirings. (C) Follow-up radiographs, made at 16-month after operation, showed that well united femoral shaft, neck & patellar fracture and removed hardwares.

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