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This retrospective, multicentre study aimed to evaluate reamed intramedullary nailing (IMN) for the treatment of 30 cases of aseptic femoral shaft non-union after plating failure. Following nailing, 29 non-unions had healed by a mean 7.93 months. In one case a hypertrophic non-union required renailing after 8 months, using a nail of greater diameter, and united within five further months. Healing times were not related to whether the fracture was open or closed, the type non-union or the type of fracture. The delay from the initial plating to intramedullary nailing had a statistically significant effect on healing time and final outcome. This treatment is cost effective and should be implemented as soon as the non-union is diagnosed.

Gamma nails have been used extensively for the treatment of proximal femoral fractures. Nail breakage at the level of the aperture of the lag screw is rare. We report 4 such cases mainly associated with a large posteromedial cortex gap and nonunion. The need for adequate reduction to avoid such a complication is emphasised.

The purpose of this study is to present our experience with the technique, the problems and the potential pitfalls of arthroscopically assisted retrograde femoral nailing for supracondylar femoral fractures. In a 2-year period, nine patients (seven women, two men, average age 72 years) with supracondylar femoral fractures were treated in our department with a retrograde nailing under arthroscopic control. The mean operative time was 63.8 min (42-84 min) and the mean follow up period was 34.5 months (ranged 12-52). Solid union of the fracture was achieved in all patients without additional intervention, in 14 weeks (range 12-18). There was no malalignment (more than 5 degrees in any plane) or implant failure. In conclusion we believe that the arthroscopically assisted technique is a very good method to treat supracondylar fractures of the femur. It has very low morbidity since the knee is not opened through the operation, and the surgeon has the ability to inspect the joint for any additional damage. It is very helpful in multitrauma patients and in young patients, where the precision of the entry point is critical. However, we do not recommend the technique in intraarticular fractures because the reduction is difficult and the fixation is performed with safety only under direct vision.

We reviewed 13 patients with infected nonunion of the distal femur and bone loss, who had been treated by radical surgical debridement and the application of an Ilizarov external fixator. All had severely restricted movement of the knee and a mean of 3.1 previous operations. The mean length of the bony defect was 8.3 cm and no patient was able to bear weight. The mean external fixation time was 309.8 days. According to Paley's grading system, eight patients had an excellent clinical and radiological result and seven excellent and good functional results. Bony union, the ability to bear weight fully, and resolution of the infection were achieved in all the patients. The external fixation time was increased when the definitive treatment started six months or more after the initial trauma, the patient had been subjected to more than four previous operations and the initial operation had been open reduction and internal fixation.

Objectives: Although the short-term results of supracondylar periprosthetic fractures treated with retrograde nailing have been satisfactory, there is always a concern about the long-term survival of the prosthesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate fracture healing and knee functional outcome with a follow-up time of at least 2 years in periprosthetic fractures of the knee treated with a supracondylar nail., Design: Cohort study., Patients: There were 9 patients with 10 periprosthetic fractures. In 1 patient, the fracture occurred intraoperatively. In the others, the time between the total knee arthroplasty and the periprosthetic fracture ranged between 2 weeks and 7 years (average time: 2.78 years). The mean follow-up was 34.5 months (25-52 months)., Main Outcome Measurements: The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index was used to evaluate the functional result postoperatively using the paired t test as the statistical test. Fracture union was assessed with plain x-rays., Results: All the fractures united within 3 months. One fracture united in extreme valgus (35 degrees) and was revised to a stemmed total knee replacement. There were no infections and no prosthesis loosening. The paired t test before the fracture and after the operation demonstrated no statistically significant differences; however, there was a trend toward lower functional score postoperatively., Conclusions: It appears that retrograde nailing is a reliable technique to treat periprosthetic supracondylar fractures. It provides adequate stability until fracture union. The morbidity of the operation is minimal, and the complication rate is low. The midterm results in our study showed that none of the prostheses required revision. In our opinion, it is the treatment of choice for a periprosthetic fracture when the prosthesis is stable.

Aim: We have performed a retrospective comparative study between the trochanteric gamma nail (TGN) and the proximal femoral nail (PFN)., Method: During the period 1998-2003, 97 TGN and 83 PFN were used for the treatment of pertrochanteric fractures. Most of the fractures were of the A3 type according to the AO/ASIF classification. Clinical and radiological follow-ups were available for 87 TGN and 65 PFN., Results: The mean operative time for the TGN was shorter than that for the PFN. Intraoperative complications were noted in 17.5 % and 28.8 % for the TGN and PFN groups, respectively. Late complications occurred in 18.4 % for TGN compared to 27.6 % of the PFN. Union was achieved in 94.2 % and 89.3 % of the patients treated with the TGN and PFN, respectively. The reoperation rates were 10.3 % and 24.6 % for the TGN and the PFN, respectively. Clinical outcomes were good for both groups (65 % in the TGN, 62 % in the PFN group)., Conclusion: Treatment of pertrochanteric fractures using the TGN and PFN implants is quite reliable. The major complication was cut-out and occurred mostly in the PFN group, while varus deformity was more frequent in the TGN group. The PFN was associated with a higher rate of reoperation and longer operative time, probably due to a more demanding technique.

The medical records and radiographs of 63 patients, who were admitted between 1989-1997, with a combined femur fracture, were reviewed. Associated injuries were present in 38 (60%) patients. The combined fractures were classified into four major types depending on their anatomical position: type I, femoral shaft fracture combined with hip neck fracture; type II, femoral shaft fracture combined with a trochanteric fracture; type III, femoral shaft fracture combined with a distal femur fracture; and type IV, femoral shaft fracture combined with a proximal or distal femur fracture. The fractures were treated with locked intramedullary nailing and additional free cancellous 6.5-mm screws as needed. Fifty-six fractures healed without further operations. Of the remaining 6 fractures, 2 were material failures, 1 malunion with 3-cm shortening and external rotation of the femoral diaphysis, 2 early infections of the surgical wound, and 1 pseudarthrosis of the femoral shaft. All fractures were healed between 16 and 32 weeks (average: 20 weeks).

In the Orthopaedic Department in Patras University 427 intramedullary nailings in the lower limbs were performed between 1989 and 1994 and retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the range of complications. One hundred and seventy-two were nailings of the femur; 80 gamma nails mainly for subtrochanteric and intertrochanteric with subtrochanteric extension fractures were included, (total 252/59%); 175 (41%) were nailings of the tibia. Union was achieved in all case. Overall the complication rate in this series was 3.3% (14 cases) and included infection (4 cases), neuropraxia (2 cases), implant failure (5 cases), limb length deficiency (2 cases) and malrotation (1 case).

Intramedullary nailing of delayed healing fractures and non-unions in the lower extremity is the method of choice in biological and biomechanical aspects. With the technic of interlocking screws the indication is extended to the metaphyseal areas of tibia and femur. By nailing as alternative method an ossification of fractures and non-unions can be reached at a rate of about 90 per cent. This result is rather unique in the literature. In the treatment of shaft non-unions after cast fixation or rigid stabilisation by plates or external fixation nailing must succeed throughout its weight-bearing system and only fails in the case of infection and wrong indication.