Operative Traction Technique for an Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture in a Patient with Transfemoral Amputation: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2023 Mar 16;13(1). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00760. eCollection 2023 Jan 1.

Abstract

Case: A 53-year-old woman with a history of transfemoral amputation presented to the emergency department with an ipsilateral intertrochanteric femur fracture. Standard fracture tables that use a boot to pull traction are not helpful in these cases, which makes achieving adequate traction for reduction difficult.

Conclusion: We describe a unique technique to manipulate an amputated extremity using 2 Schanz pins attached to a weight through a traction rope. This practical technique provided adequate skeletal traction for reduction and internal fixation in our case and can be performed on a standard radiolucent table without the need for special table attachments.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Female
  • Femur / surgery
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Hip Fractures* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Traction* / methods