Fractures of Tibia Diaphysis Managed with Internal Fixation by Elastic Nails: An Alternative Approach

Background: Intramedullary nailing techniques specially using elastic nails like Enders nail are a good treatment option, owing to their cost effectiveness, less use of fluroscopy and ease of procedure with short learning curve. This study is aimed to bring evidence to the hypothesis that Ender nails can be used successfully in tibia shaft fractures under certain indications. Due to the economic nature and easy procedure, we aimed specifically to demonstrate that elastic IM nailing, esp. Ender nails can be a good alternative to interlock nailing for select cases of diaphyseal fractures. The study aims at evaluating outcome of Enders nail in diaphyseal tibia fractures. Material and Methods: This study was carried on in the Department of Orthopaedics, tertiary care hospital during the period of April 2019 to March 2020. It is a prospective type of study. Patients were evaluated based on functionality and radiology, post-surgery. Results: A total of 30 patients of tibial shaft fractures were selected and managed with closed reduction and internal fixation with Enders nail. Male to female ratio was 4:1. 24 (80%) patients sustained injury from motor vehicular accidents. 40% patients with open fracture and 60% closed fracture patients were involved. 60% if the patients showed clinic-radiological union in 12-14 weeks, while 50% of the patients achieved a post operative knee range of movement of 0 to 131-140 degrees. Conclusion: Closed reduction with internal fixation by Enders nail can be a good alternative for management of tibia diaphysis fractures, when performed after proper patient selection and patient counselling.

Titanium Elastic Nails for Distal Radius-ulna Fractures in Young Dogs

Background: Radius-ulna is the most frequently fractured bone of the pectoral limb in dogs with high predisposition to distal fractures. The smaller size of the distal fragment and open physis restrict the use of rigid fracture fixation techniques in distal fractures of growing dogs. Titanium elastic nails (TENs) are recommended in medical practice to stabilize long bone fractures in children. There is paucity of literature on TENs for the repair of radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Methods: This clinical study enrolled 10 dogs (7 grey hound and one each of Crossbred, Pomerenarian and Siberian Husky) suffering from distal radius-ulna (6 transverse and 4 short oblique) fractures since a mean ± SD duration of 3.40±4.5 days. The mean ± SD age and body weight of the dogs was 12.60±6.45 months and 14.09±6.41 Kg, respectively. All except one fracture was stabilized with two TENs inserted into the medullary canal of radial bone in a normograde manner from distal to proximal end using open cranio-lateral surgical approach. Result: Majority fractures achieved satisfactory reduction (n=8), radiographically. Weight bearing scores on walking increased gradually from day 12 (1.62 ± 1.51) to 45th (2.57±1.51), day 60th (3.75±0.5) and day 90 (4.0±0). Five dogs had uneventful recovery whereas remaining had major (n=2) or minor (n=3) complications. The length of the operated bone was non-significantly lesser as compared to contralateral healthy bone on day 60. Goniometric assessment of carpal joint of operated limb showed restricted range of motion on day 12 that improved to the near normal as contralateral healthy limb on day 60. Long-term results showed full (9) and acceptable (1) functional outcome. In conclusions, the TENs technique is simple and less invasive alternative fixation technique for distal radius-ulna fractures in young and light weighing dogs. As per authors, this is the first report on the use of TENs for the management of radius-ulna fracture in dogs.

Comparison of Titanium Elastic Nailing and End-threaded Intramedullary Pinning for Distal Femoral Fractures in Young Dogs

Background: Femur fractures are common in immature dogs. As compared to stainless steel, titanium implants are lighter and allow controlled micro-motion at the site of fracture that stimulates early callus formation by limiting stress shielding. Cited literature reports successful clinical use of titanium elastic nails for the stabilization of long bone fractures in young human patients; however, there is paucity of information on this technique is dogs. This study was planned with an objective to compare titanium elastic nails (TENS) and single end-threaded pin for the management of femoral fractures in young dogs. Methods: The study included 20 clinical cases (10 male and 10 female) of dogs suffering from distal femoral fracture with a mean ± SD age of 5.70 ± 5.60 month, body weight 11.09 ± 4.48 Kg since 3.05 ± 2.35 days. The cases were divided into 2 groups; using TENS (n=10; group 1) and stainless steel end-threaded intramedullary pin (n=10; group 2). Result: Group 1 dogs demonstrated better fracture reduction score, early and uniform callus and better implant stability as compared to group 2, radiographically. Early weight bearing and minimum postoperative complications with better functional outcome including joint mobility was reported in group 1. In conclusions, TENS is superior fracture fixation technique for the repair of supracondylar or distal third femur fractures in young dogs with better functional outcome, minimal stiffness of stifle joint and early weight bearing, in comparison to single end threaded intramedullary pin.

ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF PAEDIATRIC FEMORAL DIAPHYSEAL FRACTURES WITH TITANIUM ELASTIC NAILS

Introduction: Femoral fractures are among the most common fractures of long bones. The management of pediatric femur fractures depends basically on the age group of the child although the age of bone and size of the child also determines the treatment choice. The choice of management may also be determined by surgical experience and local trends in practice. Study aimed to assess the results of treatment of paediatric femoral diaphyseal fractures with titanium elastic nails. Material And Methods: The study was conducted at Orthopaedics Department of PMCH, Patna, Bihar. A total of 22 patients with closed shaft femur fractures and age ranging between 5-16 years scheduled to undergo treatment with titanium elastic nails were selected for the study. Children with open fractures, outside this age group with concomitant head injury, bilateral femur fracture or associated fracture of either limb whose xation was done after 7 days were excluded from the study. No control group was used. They were treated by retrograde TENS xation using two nails of equal diameter for each fracture. Pre-operative evaluation includes full length radiograph of the fractured femur both antero–posterior (A–P) and lateral views. Results: In the present study, 22 patients with closed shaft femur fractures were treated with titanium elastic nails. The mean age of the patient was 13.23 years. We observed that in regards to fracture location, proximal fracture was seen in 5 patients, midshaft fracture in 14 patients and distal fracture in 3 patients. However, in regards to pattern of location, transverse fracture was seen in 6 patients, oblique fracture in 8 patients, spiral fracture in 5 patients and comminuted fracture in 3 patients. Conclusion: From this study we can conclude that Intramedullary nailing of the pediatric femoral diaphyseal fractures using titanium elastic nail is an effective surgical modality, with advantages of minimal incisional scar, minimal soft tissue damage, with early union time and excellent union rates, and without affecting shoulder and elbow function.

Single versus dual elastic nails for closed reduction and antegrade intramedullary nailing of displaced fifth metacarpal neck fractures

Closed reduction and internal fixation with antegrade intramedullary nails is a feasible and effective treatment for displaced fifth metacarpal neck fractures (FMNFs). The present study aimed to compare clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with displaced FMNFs after treatment with single or dual antegrade elastic intramedullary nails (AEIMNs). Thirty-three patients were treated with a single 2.0 mm AEIMN and 34 patients were treated with two 1.5 mm AEIMNs. Clinical and radiological outcomes included grip strength, active range of motion (ROM), active flexion and extension of the fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, dorsal angulation loss, and metacarpal shortening of the fifth metacarpal at 12 months after treatment. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to grip strength, ROM or flexion of the fifth MCP joint. The average values of dorsal angulation loss, metacarpal shortening, and extension of the fifth MCP joint of the dual nails group were better than those of the single nail group (dorsal angulation loss, 2.79 ± 1.93° vs. 4.05 ± 1.59°, P = 0.009; metacarpal shortening, 1.66 ± 0.80 mm vs. 2.12 ± 0.88 mm, P = 0.028; extension of the fifth MCP joint, 7.71 ± 4.43° vs. 4.82 ± 4.09°, P = 0.012). In conclusion, dual AEIMNs fixation provided better MCP extension and radiological outcomes than single AEIMN fixation.