Radiographs of 366 removed limb lengthening nails reveal differences in bone abnormalities between different nail types

Aims Limb lengthening nails have largely replaced external fixation in limb lengthening and reconstructive surgery. However, the adverse events and high prevalence of radiological changes recently noted with the STRYDE lengthening nail have raised concerns about the use of internal lengthening nails. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of radiological bone abnormalities between STRYDE, PRECICE, and FITBONE nails prior to nail removal. Methods This was a retrospective case series from three centres. Patients were included if they had either of the three limb lengthening nails (STYDE, PRECICE, or FITBONE) removed. Standard orthogonal radiographs immediately prior to nail removal were examined for bone abnormalities at the junction of the telescoping nail parts. Results In total, 306 patients (168 male, 138 female) had 366 limb lengthening nails removed. The mean time from nail insertion to radiological evaluation was 434 days (36 to 3,015). Overall, 77% of STRYDE nails (20/26) had bone abnormalities at the interface compared with only 2% of FITBONE (4/242) and 1% of PRECICE nails (1/98; p < 0.001). Focal osteolysis in conjunction with periosteal reaction at the telescoping interface was only observed in STRYDE nails. Conclusion Bone abnormalities at the interface of telescoping nail parts were seen in the majority of STRYDE nails, but only very rarely with FITBONE or PRECICE nails. We conclude that the low prevalence of radiological changes at the junctional interface of 242 FITBONE and 98 PRECICE nails at the time of nail removal does not warrant clinical concerns.

Transtibial Amputation with Removal of the Tibial Intramedullary Nail: Hardware Removal in a Retrograde Manner

Transtibial amputation is the preferred strategy for treating a diabetic foot with an infection and necrosis. However, if a tibial intramedullary nail was previously inserted into the ipsilateral lower extremity, the nail must be removed to perform the transtibial amputation. In this special situation, the removal of the tibial intramedullary nail can cause various complications after transtibial amputation. We present a case and surgical technique report of a 46-year-old male with an uncontrolled diabetic foot with tibial intramedullary nail insertion. With the nail and ankle fixed by distal interlocking screws, a below-knee amputation was performed by removing the nail and the amputated limb together. This surgical method is expected to reduce postoperative complications such as infections and patella instability after the amputation of a diabetic foot.

STUDY OF PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAILING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SUBTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES OF FEMUR

Background:The proximal femoral nail (PFN) used as an intramedullary device for the treatment of fractures. Objectives: Study was taken to analyse the union of the subtrochanteric fracture, internally xed with PFN. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, DMCH, Laheriasarai, Bihar from June 2019 to November 2019. Individuals with acute subtrochanteric femur fractures >18 years were included in the study. The patient was positioned supine on the fracture table under spinal or epidural or general anesthesia as the condition of the patient permitted. Pre-operatively one dose of antibiotic was also administered. The fracture was reduced by longitudinal traction on fracture table and the limb was placed in neutral or slight adduction to facilitate nail insertion through the greater trochanter ; P <0.05 was considered statistically signicant. Results: At the end of ve months, all except three patients could mobilise independently; statistically there was signicant difference (P<0.05). Based on Harris Hip score obtained 3 patients outcome was excellent, 18 patients were good and 4 patients had fair outcome. Conclusion: Minimal exposure, better stability and early mobilization are the advantages with PFN. Fractures united in all cases and postoperative functional outcome was satisfactory. PFN could be a preferred implant of choice in treating subtrochanteric fractures especially in elderly.

Diaphyseal Femur Fracture in Paediatric Age group: Outcome with fixation by Elastic Nailing System

Background: Diaphyseal femur fracture in paediatric age group account for 1.6% of all paediatric fractures. Fracture fixation by elastic nail provides three point fixation. This study aims to assess the outcome of diaphyseal femur fracture in paediatric age group from 5 to 15 years treated with titanium elastic nailing system.Methods: Thirty six patients with diaphyseal femur fracture were treated with titanium elastic nailing system from November 2018 to August 2020 was analyzed prospectively. All the patients were followed up for six months for the study. Final outcome was evaluated at six months.Results: The mean time of fracture union was 9.12 weeks. Two patients had limb lengthening of 6 mm and 8 mm respectively. One patient had 1 cm of shortening and 8 degree of varus angulation and 9 patients had bursitis over nail insertion site. According to Flynn grading 26 cases have excellent results (72.22%) and 10 cases have satisfactory results (27.78%).Conclusion: Diaphyseal femur fracture can be treated with elastic nailing system with early mobilization and good functional outcomes.Keywords: Diaphyseal femur fracture, Elastic nail, Fracture union, Titanium elastic nailing system

Typical air kerma area product values for trauma orthopaedic surgical procedures

BackgroundThe aim of study was to establish the typical radiation quantity values for the most common trauma orthopaedic surgical procedures and to compare them with reference values of equivalent procedures performed in other institutions. In addition, we assess the impact of image intensifier and flat panel detector technology used for fluoroscopically guidance on patient exposure.Materials and methodsFive most frequently performed fluoroscopically guided trauma orthopaedic procedures in University Medical Centre Ljubljana were analysed. Data on 199 cases over a 6 months period from December 2016 to June 2017 were gathered retrospectively. Study covered 40 dynamic hip screw fixations (DHS), 23 proximal femoral nail insertions (PFN), 20 proximal humeral nail insertions (PHN), 77 partial hip endoprosthesis implantations (PEP) and 39 percutaneous posterior spine fixations (PPS). The median and average along with the first and third quartile values of air kerma area product (KAP) for each procedure type were calculated as well as median and average value of fluoroscopy screening time.ResultsTypical KAP value for dynamic hip screw fixation was set at 0.52 Gycm2; for proximal femoral nail insertion at 0.53 Gycm2 and for proximal humeral nail insertion at 0.26 Gycm2. For implantation of partial endoprosthesis typical KAP value utilizing flat panel technology was set at 0.08 Gycm2 and at 0.21 Gycm2 when the image intensifier technology was used. Typical KAP value for percutaneous posterior spine fixation was set at 1.26 Gycm2, using flat panel technology and at 3.98 Gycm2 using image intensifier technology.ConclusionsEstablished typical KAP levels of surgical orthopaedic procedures in traumatology will serve as a valuable tool for further radiation exposure optimization.

Biomechanical Consequences of Nail Insertion Point and Anterior Cortical Perforation for Antegrade Femoral Nailing

This biomechanical study assessed the influence of changing antegrade cephalomedullary nail insertion point from anterior to neutral to posterior locations relative to the tip of the greater trochanter with or without anterior cortical perforation in the distal femur. Artificial osteoporotic femurs and cephalomedullary nails were used to create 5 test groups each with 8 specimens: intact femur without a nail or perforation, anterior nail insertion point without perforation, neutral nail insertion point without perforation, posterior nail insertion point without perforation, and posterior nail insertion point with perforation. Nondestructive biomechanical tests were done at 250 N in axial, coronal 3-point bending, sagittal 3-point bending, and torsional loading in order to measure overall stiffness and bone stress. The intact femur group vs. all femur/nail groups had lower stiffness in all loading modes ( p ≤ 0.018 ), as well as higher bone stress in the proximal femur ( p ≤ 0.027 ) but not in the distal femur above the perforation ( p = 0.096 ). Compared to each other, femur/nail groups only showed differences in sagittal 3-point bending stiffness for anterior and neutral vs. posterior nail insertion points without ( p ≤ 0.025 ) and with perforation ( p ≤ 0.047 ). Although it did not achieve statistical significance ( p ≥ 0.096 ), moving the nail insertion point from anterior to neutral to posterior to posterior with perforation did gradually increase bone stress by 45% (proximal femur) and 46% (distal femur). No femur or hardware failures occurred. Moving the nail insertion point and the presence of a perforation had little effect on stiffness, but the increased bone stress may be important as a predictor of fracture. Based on current bone stress results, surgeons should use anterior or neutral nail insertion points to reduce the risk of anterior cortical perforation.

Blunt Hohman-Lever Technique for Reduction of Intertrochanteric Fracture – A Surgical Technique

We present a 60 years old patient who presented to us with history of domestic fall and sustained injury to the right hip and was diagnosed with trochanteric fracture right side. As closed reduction was not acceptable and bone spike was not available in the set, we designed our own technique of using a bone lever introduced from the same incision from where reaming/nail insertion was done. To the best of our knowledge this technique has never been described before in english literature. Since our first case we have tried it in 6 other patients and without any issues.