Abstract

Background: Fractures of the shaft of femur are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with lower extremity injuries. Most fractures are sustained in young adults during high velocity injuries. The technique of intramedullary locked nail(IMLN) of bone wasdeveloped to overcome the rotational and longitudinal malalignments of long bone fractures.Aim of study:To evaluate the results of femoral shaft fractures treated by closed reamed antegrade interlocking nail.Patients and Method: prospective study conducted at Department of Orthopedic surgery in Al-Kadhemiyah Teaching Hospital from October 2008 to October 2010 to evaluate 20 patients with acute femoral shaft fractures, all treated with reamed antegrade IMLN inserted with closed techniques. All patients treated for established non-unions and infections or with pathological fractures were excluded from the study.Results:out of 20 patients 16(80%) were male and 4(20%)were female. The age range was from 18 to 52 years (average age of 35 years).15 patients with closed fractures (75 %) and 5 patients with open fractures (25%). The union rate was 90% with 10% of fractures going into delayed union treated with dynamizationDuration of union range from 12 to 24 weeks. At the final clinical follow-up, 2cases (10%) had minor thigh pain, 1case (5%) had limb length discrepancy of less than 2cm and 1case(5%) had decreased range of motion at the knee joint, We had 2 cases(10%) of infection. There were 1(5%) case of pudendal nerve neuropraxia .Conclusion:closed Intramedullary Interlocking nailing is a safe and effective treatment modality for acute fractures of the femoral shaft. Patient rehabilitation is early, hospitalization is short, and fracture healing response is good.

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The article was added to IASJ on 2015-01-27

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