Management of nonunion associated with broken intramedullary nail of the femur

Orthopedics. 2008 Jan;31(1):78. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20080101-07.

Abstract

This study analyzed 14 patients with 17 broken intramedullary nails for the treatment of femoral fractures. Average distance from the fracture site was 7.9 cm in cases in which nail breakage occurred at the junction between the cylindrical and cloverleaf portions and 6.4 cm in cases in which nail breakage occurred at the screw hole. Eleven patients with 14 broken nails were treated with exchange nailing and bone grafting, 2 were treated with plating and bone grafting, and 1 was treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Nonunion or delayed union is the main cause of nail breakage. Exchange nailing with bone grafting is a safe and effective method of treatment for a broken intramedullary nail with nonunion.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bone Nails / adverse effects*
  • Device Removal
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / etiology*
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery*
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / adverse effects*
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / instrumentation*
  • Fractures, Malunited / etiology*
  • Fractures, Malunited / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis Failure*
  • Reoperation
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult