Retrograde dynamic locked intramedullary nailing for aseptic supracondylar femoral nonunion after dynamic condylar screw treatment

Resistant distal femoral nonunion treated with combined nail/plate construct and reamer-irrigator-aspirator technique

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of intramedullary nailing and a lateral locking plate combined with the reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) bone grafting technique for resistant distal femoral nonunion.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was performed from January 2018 to December 2021 and involved five patients who presented with resistant distal femoral nonunion despite undergoing several surgeries. They were treated with intramedullary nailing and a lateral locking plate combined with the RIA bone grafting technique. Postoperative follow-up was performed to observe the healing time, and functional outcomes were evaluated using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS).

RESULTS

After the patients had been monitored for a mean of 17.9 months, complete bone healing was observed in every patient (mean healing time of 4.8 months). Postoperative wound failure in an older patient was successfully treated with resuturing and nutritional assistance. At the last follow-up, the mean LEFS score was 71.2/80 and the mean knee flexion was 109 degrees.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that combining intramedullary nailing and a lateral locking plate with the RIA bone grafting technique enhances biological properties, provides good structural support, and achieves good union and functional results in the management of resistant nonunion of the distal femur.

Monofocal Compression-Distraction Osteosynthesis in a Distal Femoral Nonunion Using a Magnetic Medullary Nail: A Case Report

CASE

A 65-year-old woman presented with a malaligned, shortened supracondylar distal femoral nonunion. An acute medial closing wedge osteotomy was performed through the nonunion and compressed with a retrograde magnetically controlled intramedullary nail. Osteogenesis with sequential compression and then distraction was performed at the osteotomy site using the nail to successfully restore limb length and alignment.

CONCLUSION

A magnetically controlled nail can be used to perform monofocal sequential compression-distraction osteosynthesis through a nonunion after an alignment correcting osteotomy.