J Korean Fract Soc.  2000 Oct;13(4):825-831. 10.12671/jksf.2000.13.4.825.

Augmentative Plate Fixation for Femoral Nonunion after Intramedullary Nailing

• Cho HO
• Kwak KD
• Kim JJ
• Sohn SM
• Kang CH
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 2100147
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2000.13.4.825

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of augmentative plate fixation for the femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing. We reviewed eleven femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing, which were treated with augmentative plate internal fixation. All cases were initially managed with interlocking intramedullary nailing. Five were hypervascular and six were avascular. Leaving the intramedullay nail in situ, an augmentative plate fixation was applied to the fracture site to counter the rotational instability. A simultaneous bone grafting was performed in six avascular nonunion to repair the bony defect. The union time was 8.2 months in average( 7.8 months in hypervascular and 8.5 months in avascular). In conclusion, augmentative plating leaving the intramedullary nail in situ is an useful alternative for the treatment of femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing. The technique is simple and does not require any special instruments. It facilitates an early weight bearing and gives a quick recovery from nonunion.

Keyword

Femur; Nonunion; Intramedullary nailing; Augmentative plating

MeSH Terms

Bone Transplantation
Femur
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
Weight-Bearing