Treatment of femoral shaft fracture with interlocking humeral nail in older children and adolescent

Abstract

Purpose: Rigid interlocking nailing for femoral shaft fracture is ideal to use in adolescent when regarding the fracture stability and patient’s convenience. However, numerous authors have reported rigid interlocking nailing has some limitations in this group of age due to the risk of complications. We evaluated the results of intramedullary nailing for femur shaft fractures using rigid interlocking humeral nail through the greater trochanter in older children and adolescent.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records for femoral fractures treated with rigid interlocking humeral nail. Radiographs were examined for proximal femoral change and evidence of osteonecrosis. Outcome were measured by major or minor complication that occurred after operative treatment.Results: Twenty-four femoral shaft fractures in 23 patients were selected. The mean age at the time of operation was 12 years and 8 months and the mean follow-up period was 21 months. All fractures were healed clinically and radiographically within 8 weeks in average. No patient had developed avascular necrosis of femoral head and coxa valga. There is no change in neck shaft angle (P = 0.29) and articulotrochanteric distance (P = 0.33).Conclusion: Intramedullary nailing through the greater trochanter using rigid interlocking humeral nail is effective and safe for the treatment of femoral shaft fracture in older children and adolescent.