Comparison of Outcome with RNVL Compressive Plating in the Treatment of Extra Articular Supracondylar Femur Fractures

Objective: To compare outcome of retrograde nailing versus locked compressive plating in the treatment of extra articular supracondylar femur fractures. Study Design: A randomized prospective trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ghurki Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from January 2020 to November 2021. Methodology: A total of 160 (80 in each group) patients aged between 18 to 50 years of both genders with extra articular supracondylar femur fractures were randomized into either retrograde nailing group (Group-A) or locked compressive plating (Group-B). Surgery time and functional outcome were compared in both groups. Demographic characteristics along with mean surgery time and functional outcomes were compared between both study groups. Results: In a total of 160 patients, mean age was 33.57±9.45 years. The mean age in Group-A was 33.24±8.61 years and in Group-B 33.90±10.26 years. In group-A, there were 49 (61.25%) male and 31 (38.75%) female cases while in group-B there were 56 (70%) male and 24 (30%) female cases. The mean surgery time in group-A was significantly less as compared to group-B (83.29±7.48 minutes vs. 106.62 ± 7.69 minutes, p<0.01). The frequency of excellent to good outcome was statistically higher in Group-A as compared to Group-B (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Retrograde nailing gave better results in the treatment of extra articular supracondylar femur fractures when compared with locked compressive plating. Retrograde nailing can be opted to reduce the surgery time and gain better functional outcome. Keywords: Femur fracture, nailing, plating, surgery time, functional outcome

Efficacy of Ankle Arthodesis with Retrograde Sign Nail

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ankle arthrodesis by using Retrograde SIGN Nail. Study Design: Retrospective study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Orthopaedic & Spine Surgery, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2020. Methodology: Thirty patients were enrolled for arthrodesis by using retrograde nails. Clinical and radiological examination confirmed the severe arthritis of the subtalar joints in all cases. Surgical procedure was initiated by using lateral incision fibula segment of 1.5 cm was excised 6-8 cm proximal to the fibula tip. After adequate exposure, from proximal lateral to distal medial, approximately 5-6 cm transaction of the fibula was made obliquely. Soft tissue was the initiating point of dissection and the portion was placed on the back table for further use as an autogenous bone graft. To expose the medial gutter, approximately 2-3 cm incision was carefully made at medial to the tibialis anterior tendon without indulging saphenous nerve and vein. Results: A weak positive Pearson correlation was found between BMI and FAAM score but a significant (P=0.00001). Conclusion: Retrograde nailing techniques help to achieve the goals of the union. It also assists in the preservation of hind foot alignment. Keywords: Ankle deformity, Ankle arthrodesis, Ankle arthritis, Retrograde nailing

Outcome of Retrograde Nailing in the Treatment of Extra Articular Supracondylar Femur Fractures

Objective: To find out outcome of retrograde nailing in the treatment of extra articular supracondylar femur fractures. Study Design: A prospective observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: The Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ghurki Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from January 2020 to August 2021. Methodology: A total of 92 patients of both genders aged 18 to 50 years with supracondylar femur fractures and supracondylar fractures with fracture line extending to distal third of femoral shaft were enrolled. Retrograde nailing was performed among all patients. Surgery time and functional outcome were noted. All surgeries were accomplished under spinal/epidural or general anaesthesia. Results: Out of a total of 92 patients, there were 59 (64.1%) were male and 33 (35.9%) female. Overall, the mean age of patients was 33.12±9.08 years. The mean surgery time was noted to be 85.29±7.48 minutes. A total of 85 patients completed the designated period of 12-weeks for the evaluation of functional outcome. Excellent outcomes were observed in 47 (55.3%) cases, good 25 (29.4%), fair 9 (10.6%) and poor in 4 (4.7%) cases. Excellent to good outcomes were observed in 72 (84.7%) cases. Conclusion: Retrograde nailing had good outcomes in the treatment of extra articular supracondylar femur fractures. Keywords: Femur fracture, nailing, surgery time, functional outcome.

A prospective study of retrograde nailing for distal third femoral shaft fractures

<p><strong>Background: </strong>To evaluate the postoperative knee range of motion and results of unreamed retrograde nailing for distal third femoral shaft fractures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between June 2019 and June 2021 inclusive, a consecutive series of 20 patients who underwent retrograde nailing were prospectively evaluated. Outcome measures were union time, initiation of weight bearing, deformity and shortening, functional length of the nail, knee function assessed using a modified knee society knee score. Correlations between union time and other variables were also studied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In these patients 18 (90%) of the 20 fractures achieved union, of which 4 underwent dynamisation; the mean union time for the other 18 fractures was 3.1 months. Angular malalignment was present in 2 patients and shortening in 3 others. There was negligible correlation between union time and variables of nail-canal diameter mismatch, functional length of nail, fracture geometry, or initiation of partial weight bearing ambulation. Knee flexion of more than 100 degrees was achieved in 19 patients. 14 patients had anterior knee pain and 7 had instability in early phases of ambulation. By the end of one year, excellent or good scores for pain and function were recorded in 95% and 86% respectively of the 20 patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In view of such favourable union rates and no significant deterioration in overall knee joint function, at best retrograde nailing is a reliable alternative in the management of selected complicated fractures of the distal femoral shaft.</p>