Atypical diaphyseal femoral fractures: Considerations on surgical technique

Principles of Minimally Invasive Reduction and Nail Fixation for Subtrochanteric Femur Fractures

Subtrochanteric femur fractures have a reputation as difficult orthopaedic injuries to treat. Strong deforming forces, including the hip musculature and high physiologic forces, must be counteracted to obtain and maintain reduction. Adding to the complexity is a wide variety of fracture morphologies that must be recognized to execute an appropriate surgical plan. The challenging nature of this injury is demonstrated by nonunion rates of 4% to 5%, but some series have reports of up to 15% and malunion rates of 10% to 15%. Improved outcomes have been shown to be dependent on appropriate reduction and stable fixation, which can be achieved with less surgical insult. The treating surgeon must have a thorough understanding of the injury characteristics and reduction techniques to appropriately execute minimally invasive techniques for these difficult fractures.

Surgical management and outcomes following atypical subtrochanteric femoral fractures - results from a matched-pair analysis of the registry for geriatric trauma of the German Trauma Society

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The outcomes of patients with atypical subtrochanteric fractures (ASFs) remain unclear. Data from a large international geriatric trauma registry were analysed to examine the outcome of patients with ASFs compared to patients with typical osteoporotic subtrochanteric fractures (TSFs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the Registry for Geriatric Trauma of the German Trauma Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie [DGU]) (ATR-DGU) were analysed. All patients treated surgically for ASFs or TSFs were included in this analysis. Across both fracture types, a paired matching approach was conducted, where statistical twins were formed based on background characteristics sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and walking ability. In-house mortality and mortality rates at the 120-day follow-up, as well as mobility at 7 and 120 days, the reoperation rate, hospital discharge management, the hospital readmission rate at the 120-day follow-up, health-related quality of life, type of surgical treatment and anti-osteoporotic therapy at 7 and 120 days, were assessed as outcome measures using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Amongst the 1,800 included patients, 1,781 had TSFs and 19 had ASFs. Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with ASFs were more often treated with closed intramedullary nailing (RR = 3.59, p < 0.001) and had a higher probability of vitamin D supplementation as osteoporosis therapy at 120 days (RR = 0.88, p < 0.002). Patients with ASFs were also more likely to live at home after surgery (RR = 1.43, p < 0.001), and they also tended to continue living at home more often than patients with TSFs (RR = 1.33, p < 0.001). Accordingly, patients with TSFs had a higher relative risk of losing their self-sufficient living status, as indicated by increased rates of patients living at home preoperatively and being discharged to nursing homes (RR = 0.19, p < 0.001) or other hospitals (RR = 0.00, p < 0.001) postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment of ASFs was marked by more frequent use of closed intramedullary fracture reduction. Furthermore, patients with ASFs were more likely to be discharged home and died significantly less often in the given timeframe. The rate of perioperative complications, as indicated by nonsignificant reoperation rates, as well as patient walking abilities during the follow-up period, remained unaffected.

Incomplete Diaphyseal Atypical Femoral Fracture due to Increased Anterolateral Bowing: Treatment with Corrective Osteotomy and Intramedullary Nailing with Augmented Plate Fixation

BACKGROUND

Increased anterolateral bowing of the femur is associated with atypical femoral fractures among older patients (including both those receiving and those not receiving treatment with bisphosphonates) as well as a greater likelihood of occurring in the diaphyseal versus the subtrochanteric region. Prophylactic intramedullary (IM) nailing is recommended for the treatment of incomplete atypical femoral fractures, which are radiographically evident. However, this bowing deformity is considered to be a major obstacle to IM nailing as it may be associated with postoperative complications. Corrective osteotomy combined with IM nailing straightens the exaggerated curvature of the femur. We hypothesized that this technique may lead to the safe and rapid healing of incomplete diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures, thereby reducing lateral tensile stress.

METHODS

From October 2015 through March 2020, 17 female patients (20 femora) with a mean age of 76.1 years (range, 68 to 86 years) underwent a surgical procedure for the treatment of an incomplete diaphyseal atypical femoral fracture associated with anterolateral bowing. The surgical technique consisted of minimally invasive osteotomy and reconstruction with use of IM nailing, with or without an augmentation plate. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic findings (lateral and anterior bowing angles, anterolateral bowing grade, and lateral distal femoral angle [LDFA]) were compared. Primary union, time to union, and complications were evaluated as the outcomes.

RESULTS

Primary bone union was achieved in 19 of the 20 femora at a mean of 24.9 weeks (range, 20 to 40 weeks). There were 2 instances of delayed union, which healed at 36 and 40 weeks. The lateral bowing angle, anterior bowing angle, and LDFA significantly improved postoperatively (from 12.0° to 3.3°, from 17.3° to 11.5°, and from 93.5° to 88.8°, respectively) (p < 0.001). There was 1 instance of nonunion, which healed after plate augmentation without a bone graft.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the pathophysiology of elevated lateral tensile stress, corrective osteotomy and IM nailing may be an acceptable solution for the treatment of incomplete diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures associated with increased anterolateral bowing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

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

The importance of reconstruction nailing for diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures: a comparative study with standard nailing

INTRODUCTION

Subtrochanteric atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) usually require long cephalomedullary or reconstruction nailing to achieve satisfactory healing. Recently, this type of nailing has also been recommended to fix diaphyseal AFFs and prevent fragility fractures around the proximal femur, although standard antegrade nailing seems sufficient from a biomechanical perspective. This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes and complications between reconstruction and standard nailing for diaphyseal AFFs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective comparative study of 48 female patients with diaphyseal AFFs who underwent surgical treatment with either reconstruction or standard nailing was conducted. The reconstruction nailing group comprised 23 patients with a mean age of 74.4 years and included 16 complete and 7 incomplete AFFs. The mean follow-up period was 30 months. The standard nailing group comprised 25 patients with a mean age of 71.1 years and included 16 complete and 9 incomplete AFFs. The mean follow-up period was 57.8 months. The healing rate, time to union, and complications were analyzed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Bony union was achieved in all 23 cases (100%) of the reconstruction nailing group by a mean of 19.3 weeks postoperative. In the standard nailing group, 23 of 25 cases healed (92%) by a mean of 16 weeks postoperative. The standard nailing group included two delayed fragility fractures of the femoral neck (5 and 10 years after the initial surgery), four cases of newly developed subtrochanteric AFFs at the distal screw of the proximal interlocking screws of the nail (one complete and three incomplete fractures), and two cases of nonunion. Complications only occurred in the standard nailing group (p = 0.01, Fisher's exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

In diaphyseal AFFs, reconstruction nailing may achieve a satisfactory outcome and can also decrease delayed peri-implant fragility fractures of the hip, newly developed subtrochanteric AFFs, and nonunion.

Bisphosphonate-related atypical femoral fractures: A novel strategy to improve patient outcomes

Background:

Atypical femoral fracture (AFF) is a serious adverse event associated with bisphosphonate therapy and prone to complications and delayed union. We propose a technique and management strategy to maximise bone healing and outcomes.

Methods:

We report on a cohort of patients with AFF using our novel technique of preparing the intramedullary canal and rigid fixation with cephalomedullary nailing. Patients were admitted under a multidisciplinary team with rehabilitation goals of early mobilisation and teriparatide initiation. Clinical and radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:

Twenty-eight AFFs were treated with a mean follow-up of 58.5 weeks and a mean age of 75.2 years old. All cases achieved radiological union by a mean of 6 months and post-operative thigh pain experienced up to 8.7 weeks. No cases underwent revision or experienced intraoperative complication.

Conclusion:

Our surgical technique and multidisciplinary management are reproducible with excellent results in patients with this rare yet challenging injury.