Treatment of femur supracondylar fracture with retrograde interlocking intramedullary nails in elderly patients

Objective： To report 32 cases of femur supracondylar fracture treated with retrograde interlocking intramedullary nails in elderly patients. Methods： According to the AO classification, all of 32 cases were classified as extra-articular type A. 32 cases were treated with interlocking intramedullary nail by closed insertion from intercondylar fossa of the knee. All cases accepted CPM exercise as early as possible after operation. Results： Following up 5 to 15 months, all fractures united within an average duration of 5.3 months （4-7 months）. According to the Shelbourne scale, the excellent rate of the knee function was 86.3%. Conclusion： Retrograde interlocking intramedullary nail is useful alternative implant for the treatment of osteoporotic supracondylar fracture of femur, particularly of the type A fracture in the elderly population. Its merits include stable fixation, high rate of fracture union and few complications.

Retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing under arthroscopy for supracondylar femoral fracture

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing under arthroscopy on supracondylar femoral fractures. Methods: From June 1999 to December 2000, 17 patients with supracondylar femoral fracture were treated with arthroscopically assisted implantation of retrograde interlocking intramedullary nail and close reduction. Results: More than 6 month follow up study after operation in 11 patients revealed that the average healing time was 3 months. Average range of the knee motion for all the patients was more than 90 degrees. There was no implant breakage and infection. Conclusions: This new method, combining the advantage of arthroscope and retrograde interlocking intramedullary nail, can provide a stable and reliable fixation, and meanwhile is less invasive to the soft tissue and knee, less operative time and blood loss, minimal disruption of the blood supply in fracture site. It is conducive to the fracture healing and the functional recovery of the knee joint and worthwhile to be recommended.

Treatment of distal femoral nonunion and delayed union by using a retrograde intramedullary interlocking nail

Objective: To analyze the causes of distal femoral nonunion and delayed union and assess the outcome of the corresponding treatment, retrograde intramedullary interlocking nail (RIIN). Methods: From June 1995 to December 1998, 15 patients (9 males and 6 females) with distal femoral nonunion and delayed union were treated with RIIN. The average age of the patients was 34.5 years (23 46 years). Bone grafting was performed in 10 patients, closed reaming was done in the other 5 patients. Correction osteotomy was performed in 2 patients, and intra articular release of knee adhesion in 11 patients. X ray examination and knee society clinical rating system (KSS) were used to evaluate the results. Results: All fractures were followed up for at least 9 months with average follow up duration of 14.5 months (9 33 months). Solid union was documented in all patients at 6.4 months on average. There were no infections or malunions in this series. Based on the final follow up data, acceptable functional range of motion (ROM) of over 90° was achieved in most patients. The average ROM was 93.5° with significant improvement of 28° ( 42.7 %, P< 0.05 ) compared with the preoperative ROM. The average knee score was 96. Excellent ROM emerged in 13 patients. The knee function score was 90.5 on average. Conclusions: The main causes of distal femoral nonunion and delayed union are improper indications and improper use of the implants. RIIN is an effective alternative for treatment of distal femoral nonunion and delayed union because it can provide a stable and reliable fixation which is beneficial for early functional exercise of knee. Bone grafting, closed reaming and intra articular release of knee adhesion should be considered in order to enhance the bone healing and improve ROM and the knee function.