Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the femur with combined technique

Abstract

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the long bones is challenging due to infection and bone resection. The aim of this case presentation is to report an alternative method for chronic osteomyelitis of the femur. We aimed to provide acute and rapid shortening at the resected site, and lengthening from the metaphyseal bone of a 22-year-old male patient who applied with pain and discharge in the right thigh due to chronic osteomyelitis, and who had undergone three surgical procedures previously. A two-stage treatment was planned. At the first stage, bone resection, antibiotic-impregnated cement rod, and external fixator were applied. At the second stage, intramedullary femoral nail was applied, compression was continued to achieve the docking side in the resection area, and lengthening was performed to eliminate shortness. At the final follow-up, excellent bone and functional scores were obtained. The distraction-compression technique described here can provide successful results in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the long bones.