Managing failed fixation: valgus osteotomy for femoral neck nonunion

Fixator-Assisted Nailing for Femur Neck Fracture Nonunion: A Case Series Study

Background

Femoral neck fractures in young adults tend to be a result of high-energy trauma with a common pattern of Pauwels type III fracture, and they require timely and meticulous diagnosis and management. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of the fixator-assisted nailing technique for managing femur neck fracture nonunion. Methods. This was a case series study of 16 patients with nonunion femoral neck fractures treated via a fixator-assisted nailing technique. Our inclusion criteria comprised the inclusion of any patient between the ages of 14 and 60 years old with a neglected neck of femur fracture or nonunion of the femur neck. In addition, we only included patients without further posttreatment trauma and without known metabolic diseases. The conditions that were excluded from this study included hip joints with preexisting osteoarthritis, radiographic evidence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and associated ipsilateral acetabulum fracture or fracture-dislocation. The fracture characteristics that were selected for the fixator-assisted nailing (FAN) technique were clear signs of pseudoarthrosis (such as sclerosis, clear fracture line defects, and failure of implants), in addition to evidence of varus malalignment. All fractures were Pauwels type III. Radiographs of the pelvis with both hips and a posteroanterior (PA) view of the injured hip were taken. Full weight bearing was allowed in all the patients from the first day postoperatively. Physical therapy was started for pain reduction modalities, stretching, and abductor strengthening.

Results

Union of the femur neck fracture and osteotomy site was achieved in all patients. An excellent functional status after four months of follow-up was found based on a modified Harris hip score questionnaire. At follow-up, no patient was suffering from pain or flexion contracture. Preoperative limb length discrepancy (LLD) (cm) was 1.8 ± 0.8 cm and postoperative was 0 ± 0.1 cm, p < 0.001. Preoperative neck-shaft angle (NSA) (o) was 85.6 ± 4.4 and postoperative was 126.9 ± 2.5, p < 0.001. Preoperative Pauwels angle (o) was an average of 50.4 ± 5.9 and postoperative was 31.3 ± 2.5, p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that FAN has a high success rate in young patients with nonunited femoral neck fractures.

Management of femoral neck fracture non union with modified Pauwels' osteotomy

Modified Pauwels' intertrochanteric osteotomy is a promising procedure to heal a non union of the femoral neck fracture, with a success rate of 80-90%. Caxa vara correction and limb length equalization can be achieved simultaneously with this procedure. Two stage surgical procedure has the advantage of keeping blood loss and bone exposure to minimise the risk of infection. We herewith present some tips and tricks and the details of doing this osteotomy.

Results of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone grafting (Meyers' procedure) in the management of ununited femoral neck fractures

PURPOSE

Femoral neck fractures in young patients are associated with increase complication risk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle grafting in the treatment of ununited femoral neck fractures.

METHODS

This study includes 16 patients with ununited femoral neck fractures treated with quadratus femoris muscle pedicle graft. 7 patients had neglected femoral neck fractures while 9 had ununited femoral neck fractures after fixation. Quadratus femoris muscle with 2 × 1 × 1 cm (length-width-height) bone in its insertion was elevated and placed in the posterior cortex of the femoral neck with additional cancellous graft from the posterior iliac bone. The graft was fixed with 3.5-mm cortical screws.

RESULTS

The average follow-up period was 96 weeks and the radiological union occurred at an average of 7 months. The femoral inclination of all patients was 128.5° ± 3.9° with an average 7 (range 0-35) mm thigh atrophy in the last follow-up visit. Only 1 patient (6%) had avascular necrosis of the femoral head and was treated with hip arthroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Quadratus femoris muscle pedicle grafting provides better stability and blood supply in ununited femoral neck fractures. Achieving fracture union provides better clinical and functional results in the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

The effect of bone morphogenetic protein 2 composite materials combined with cannulated screws in treatment of acute displaced femoral neck fractures

The risk of avascular necrosis (AVN) and nonunion after treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures is increased in patients aged <60 years. Therefore we established a new protocol for closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) using cannulated screws combined with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) composite materials to treat acute femoral neck fractures.This study enrolled 78 patients with acute femoral neck fractures between April 2014 and September 2016. We treated 46 patients with a mean age of 43.8 years in study group. These patients were treated by CRIF combined with BMP-2 composite materials. In control group, there were 32 patients with a mean age of 42.09 years. The patients were treated by CRIF without BMP-2. The duration between presentation and surgery, operative time, Harris score and complications were recorded.In study group, 43 patients were followed up with an average of 31.3 months. One patient suffered nonunion and three patients presented AVN. In control group, 28 patients were followed up with an average of 32.3 months, the rate of AVN and fracture nonunion were 25% (7/28) and 21.4% (6/28) respectively, significantly higher than those in study group (P < .05).Acute displaced femoral neck fractures can be treated with CRIF and BMP-2 composite materials in a minimally invasive manner. This technique was reproducible and had fewer complications.

Complications After Pediatric Hip Fractures: Evaluation and Management

Pediatric proximal femur fractures are high-energy injuries with predictable and morbid complications. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is the most common complication with identified risk factors including fracture type, patient's age, degree of displacement, timing to reduction, and stability of fixation. Additional complications include nonunion, coxa vara, and premature physeal arrest. The mainstay of treatment for traumatic pediatric osteonecrosis is hip preservation with total hip arthroplasty being reserved as a salvage procedure. An anatomic fracture reduction and a biomechanically stable construct are critical to prevent both nonunion and osteonecrosis. This review will look at the individual surgical interventions for the management of the associated complications of pediatric proximal femur fractures.

Experience of valgus osteotomy for neglected and failed osteosynthesis in fractures neck of femur

PURPOSE

There is vast literature supporting valgus osteotomy in fracture neck of femur. However, little or no distinction has ever been made to evaluate the success of the procedure in these two different scenarios-non-unions due to failed osteosynthesis and neglected fractures neck of femur. The aim of our study was to compare the results of valgus osteotomy in neglected neck femur fractures and non-union fractures of neck of femur.

METHODS

This is a single tertiary centre-based retrospective study. The records of all patients aged less than 45 years who underwent valgus osteotomy for neck of femur fractures from 2012 to 2017 were evaluated. Patients with fracture neck of femur of over one month's duration, where no previous surgical intervention was undertaken were placed in neglected fracture group. Patients with failed primary osteosynthesis surgery, either cannulated cancellous screw or dynamic hip screw, were placed in fixation failure group. There were 23 patients in neglected group and 17 patients in fixation failure group. Demographical details, fracture patterns, and preoperative radiograph, surgery time, blood loss, post-operative complications, union time, and non-unions were studied in both groups.

RESULTS

Osteotomy site united in mean time of 11 weeks in fixation failure group and 11.3 weeks in neglected group (p = .434). Time to radiological union of fracture was 16 weeks (12-23 weeks) for neglected fracture group compared to 25 weeks (20-32 weeks) for fixation failure group which was statistically significant (p = .02). Seven out of 17 fractures did not unite in fixation failure group compared to one non-union out of 23 patients in neglected group. (p = .004) There were two loss of fixation with implant failure in fixation failure group compared to none in neglected group (p = .174). Neither of the groups had any surgical site infection.

CONCLUSION

Valgus osteotomy results in excellent union rates for neglected fractures of neck of femur. However, the union rates of valgus osteotomy are lower in neck femur fractures with failed implants compared to neglected fractures and the procedure should be cautiously used in such circumstances.

Vascularized Fibular Grafting in Treatment of Femoral Neck Nonunion: A Prognostic Study Based on Long-Term Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and prognostic factors predicting success of revision surgery with free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) for treatment of femoral neck nonunion.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled patients who underwent revision surgery with FVFG between January 2001 and January 2013 in a tertiary hospital in China. A total of 98 patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up were included for analysis. The criteria for FVFG failure were conversion to hip arthroplasty, recommendation for a hip arthroplasty, or a Harris hip score of <80 points. Demographic information, the preoperative neck shortening ratio (NSR), the fixation method, and postoperative radiographic parameters including the postoperative NSR and neck-shaft angle (NSA) were recorded for prognostic analysis.

RESULTS

At an average of 9.8 ± 3.5 years (range, 3 to 17 years) postoperatively, the overall success rate of this surgical procedure was 77% (75 of 98). The success and failure groups had no significant differences in age, fixation method, interval between initial fixation and revision surgery, or postoperative NSA. The success group had a significantly higher NSR than the failure group both preoperatively (77.8% versus 62.4%, p < 0.001) and postoperatively (87.6% versus 78.4%, p = 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an optimal cutoff for preoperative NSR of 60% to predict the outcome. Patients with a preoperative NSR of >60% had a success rate of 91% (68 of 75).

CONCLUSIONS

Revision surgery with FVFG and internal fixation is an effective and important option for treating nonunion of the femoral neck in young patients without severe preoperative shortening and neck resorption (preoperative NSR of >60%).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy for femur neck pseudoarthrosis: a simple solution to a complex problem that has stood the test of time

Femoral neck nonunion in young patients has always been a difficult problem to deal with for surgeons. Numerous surgical procedures to address either the biological or mechanical issues at the nonunion have been described and most of them have been associated with variable results. Isolated biological augmentation is often associated with poor results and some techniques like vascularized grafting may require not so commonly available expertise. Valgus osteotomy is aimed to correct the abnormal fracture biomechanics associated with femoral neck fractures. By altering the nature of force transmission across the nonunion, shear forces are converted into compressive forces that lead to rapid osseous union without the need for bone grafting. Though the principles are sound and were described a long time ago, the technical aspects have evolved over time. Various modifications have been described to overcome shortcomings such as limb length discrepancy, reduction of femoral offset, alteration in mechanical axis, and the overall proximal femur anatomy. In this review, we look back at the fundamental principles and recent literature on the results of valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy for femoral neck pseudoarthrosis. We also highlight the important need for accurate preoperative planning and surgical execution. Lastly, we elaborate on the technical improvisations that have happened over time in order to improve functional results and to minimize complications and poor outcome after a valgus osteotomy.

Pathological Neck of Femur Fracture with Failed Osteosynthesis in Adolescent: A Report of Two Cases

Introduction:

Non-union of the neck of femur fractures in adolescents is a complex problem, especially if there is an underlying pathology such as fibrous dysplasia or unicameral bone cyst. Treatment is challenging and needs careful selection of a combination of strategies.

Case Report:

We present two such cases with a history of failed osteosynthesis with a sliding hip screw. Our strategy consisted of implant removal, open freshening and cancellous bone grafting of the fracture site, fibular strut grafting, subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy, and fixation with contoured 4.5 dynamic compression plates. Both fractures united uneventfully leaving the patients with good function.

Conclusion:

A combination of the above strategies is a simple and effective approach to achieve union in non-union of pathological fractures in adolescents despite failed osteosynthesis.

High rate of reoperation and conversion to total hip arthroplasty after internal fixation of young femoral neck fractures: a population-based study of 796 patients

Background and purpose - Most often, the goal of non-geriatric femoral neck fracture surgery is to preserve the native hip joint. However, reoperations for painful implants, osteonecrosis, and nonunion are common. We determined the reoperation rate and time-to-reoperation following internal fixation of these fractures in a large population cohort. Patients and methods - This retrospective cohort study included patients between the ages of 18 and 50 years old who underwent internal fixation for a femoral neck fracture during 1997-2013. Patients were followed until December 2013. Primary outcomes were reoperation rate and time-to-reoperation. Time-to-event analysis was performed to estimate the rate of any reoperation and for THA specifically, while testing the dependency of time-to-reoperation on secondary variables. Results - 796 young femoral neck fracture patients were treated with internal fixation during the study period (median age 43 years, 39% women). Median follow-up was 8 years (IQR 4-13). One-third underwent at least 1 reoperation at a median 16 months after the index surgery (IQR 8-31). Half of reoperations were for implant removal, followed by conversion to total hip arthroplasty. 14% of the cohort were converted to THA. The median time to conversion was 2 years (IQR 1-4). Neither female sex nor older age had a statistically significant effect on time-to-reoperation or time-to-THA conversion. Interpretation - Following internal fixation of young femoral neck fracture, 1 in 3 patients required a reoperation, and 1 in 7 were converted to THA. These data should be considered by patients and surgeons during treatment decision-making.

Principles of Valgus Intertrochanteric Osteotomy (VITO) after Femoral Neck Nonunion

Nonunion is a relatively rare, yet challenging problem after fracture of the femoral neck. Risk factors include verticality of the fracture line and presence of comminution of the posteromedial calcar, as well as quality of reduction. Treatment options consist of valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy versus arthroplasty. Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient, taking into account patient age and activity demands. This review outlines the principles and technical considerations for valgus osteotomy of the proximal femur in the setting of femoral neck nonunion.

3D CAD/reverse engineering technique for assessment of Thai morphology: Proximal femur and acetabulum

PURPOSE

To assess morphological parameters of proximal femur and acetabulum in Thai population with three-dimensional measurement technique, and to analysis of collateral side symmetric, gender difference, and correlation between morphometric parameters.

METHODS

Investigation was performed in 240 femurs. All three-dimensional femur models were acquitted from 64-slice spiral CT scanner. Morphometric parameters under consideration included acetabular diameter, femoral head diameter, shaft isthmus location, intramedullary canal diameter, diaphyseal diameter, femoral head height, femoral neck isthmus, femoral neck length, neck shaft angle, bow angle, and anteversion angle. All parameters were measured based on functions and least-square regression function in CAD software. Obtained measured data were then used for analysis of collateral side symmetric, gender difference, correlation between morphometric parameters, and compared with other populations.

RESULTS

Female had a smaller dimension compared with male in most of the parameters. No significant difference was observed between left and right femurs. High correlation pairs of morphometric parameters included femoral head diameter-acetabular diameter, femoral head diameter-neck isthmus diameter, femoral head diameter-diaphyseal diameter at shaft isthmus level, acetabular diameter-neck isthmus diameter, neck isthmus diameter-diaphyseal diameter at shaft isthmus level, and acetabular diameter-diaphyseal diameter at shaft isthmus level. Some morphometric parameters of Thai are smaller than other Caucasian, and some Asian nation, i.e. femoral head diameter, femoral neck length, and femoral head height.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides essential morphometric data for various orthopedic implant designs relating to proximal femur region.

Clinical results of surgical treatment for femoral neck fractures with the Targon® FN

84 cases (male 15 cases, female 69 cases) of intracapsular femoral neck fractures treated with the Targon^® FN (TFN) were available for review. Mean patient age was 74.0 years (range 36-100 years). 55 fractures were undisplaced whereas 29 were displaced. Mean follow-up term was 16.4 months. We surveyed patient mobility before injury and after operation as well as postoperative complications. On a four-stage mobility scale we found 3/55 patients with undisplaced fractures loosing mobility by more than one grade (5.5%), whereas 5/29 (17.2%) displayed this kind of functional decline after displaced fractures. Overall postoperative complication rate was 10.7% (9 cases). These complications included nonunion (1 case), avascular necrosis (7 cases) and peri-implant fracture (1case). Internal fixation with the TFN seems to have an acceptable complication rate in both undisplaced and displaced fractures compared to other recent studies.

Refixation, allograft and adjuvant cell therapy to treat nonunion of the femoral neck in a child

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic posttraumatic nonunion is a rare condition in children; the treatment of this complication is still controversial in this peculiar population.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a subcapital type II femoral neck fracture, in a 12-year-old boy, which was initially treated by internal fixation and subsequently went on to a nonunion at the femoral neck, in absence of infection or other disease.1 year after index surgery we performed surgical debridement and refixation with plate and bone allograft, added with autologous bone marrow aspiration concentrate (BMAC) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).After 3 months the nonunion healed and the boy was allowed full weight-bearing.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined surgery and adjuvant cell therapy can be considered an option of treatment in nonunion of the femoral neck in the paediatric population.

Valgus osteotomy for nonunion and neglected neck of femur fractures

Nonunion neck of femur can be a difficult problem to treat, particularly in the young, and is associated with high complication rates of avascular necrosis due to the precarious blood supply and poor biomechanics. The various treatment options that have been described can be broadly divided according to the aim of improving either biology or biomechanics. Surgeries aimed at improving the biology, such as vascularized fibula grafting, have good success rates but require high levels of expertise and substantial resources. A popular surgical treatment aimed at improving the biomechanics-valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy-optimizes conditions for fracture healing by converting shear forces across the fracture site into compressive forces. Numerous variations of this surgical procedure have been developed and successfully applied in clinical practice. As a result, the proximal femoral orientation for obtaining a good functional outcome has evolved over the years, and the present concept of altering the proximal femoral anatomy as little as possible has arisen. This technical objective supports attaining union as well as a good functional outcome, since excessive valgus can lead to increased joint reaction forces. This review summarizes the historical and current literature on valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy treatment of nonunion neck of femur, with a focus on factors predictive of good functional outcome and potential pitfalls to be avoided as well as controversies surrounding this procedure.