THE RESULTS OF INTERLOCKING INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL APPLICATIONS IN ADULT FEMORAL SHAFT FRACTURES

Abstract

Introduction: Interlocking intramedullary nailing is the most common method in the surgical treatment of adult femoral shaft fractures. The purpose of this study was to discuss the results of interlocking intramedullary nailing of adult femoral shaft fractures we applied in our clinic.
Patients and methods: Thirty-one cases with closed femoral shaft fractures whom we could follow were treated through interlocking intramedullary nailing medhod at the department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University. Twenty-six male and 5 female cases were followed for about 36 months. Medullary canal reamering was applied in all cases. Closed dynamic interlocking intramedullary nailing method was used in eight cases, open dynamic interlocking intramedullary nailing in fifteen and open static interlocking intramedullary nailing in the last eight. The data obtained in the last controls were evaluated according to Klemm and Börner criteria.
Results: Radiographic fracture union occured approximately in 18.2 weeks. According to Klemm and Börner criteria the results was observed to be excellent in 20 cases (64.5%), good in 10 (32.3%) and fair in 1 (3.2%). In the fair one, it was observed that there were moderate loss of knee motion, 2 cm shortage, 3 cm atrophy in thigh and 10° angular deformity. In three cases (9.7%) there was an atrophy of 2 cm in thigh. There also appeared as light limping in ten cases and a definite one in one case.
Conclusion: It was determined that interlocking intramedullary nailing was an effective and reliable method in the surgical treatment of adult femoral shaft fractures.