Functional outcome of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures

Surgical management of bifocal femoral fractures: a systematic review and pooled analysis of treatment with a single implant versus double implants

INTRODUCTION

Fractures of the proximal femur accompanied by a fracture of the femoral shaft are relatively rare, with a reported prevalence between 1 and 12%. Multiple surgical options are available, consisting of treatment with a single implant or with double implants. Controversy exists about the optimal management. A systematic review and pooled analysis were performed to assess the most reliable treatment for bifocal femoral fractures of the femur.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted on July 15, 2022. Selected studies were screened on title and abstract by two researchers independently, and full texts were read by both authors. Emphasis was put on adverse events such as postoperative infection, healing complications, malalignment, and functional outcome using either a single implant or double implants.

RESULTS

For the proximal femoral fractures, no significant difference could be confirmed for avascular necrosis of the femoral neck (5.1% for single implant and 3.8% for double implants), nonunion (6.4% for single implant and 7.8% for double implants), or varus malalignment (6.6% for single implant and 10.9% for double implants). This study also suggests that the number of implants is irrelevant for complications of the femoral shaft regarding the rates of postoperative infection and healing complications. Pooled rates of bone healing complications were 1.6-2.7-fold higher when patients were treated with a single implant, but statistical significance could not be confirmed. For hardware failure, revision surgery, leg length discrepancy, and functional outcome, no difference between the two groups was found either.

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled proportions of all postoperative complications had overlapping confidence intervals; thus, no inference about a statistically significant difference on the number of implants used for treating ipsilateral fractures of the femur can be made. Both treatment groups showed a similar functional outcome at the last moment of follow-up, with more than 75% of the patients reporting a good outcome.

Advantages and limitations of intramedullary nailing for the surgical treatment of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures: a retrospective comparative study based on propensity score matching

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to introduce surgical technique using long PFNA for the treatment of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures, and evaluate the characteristics of this fracture by comparing its surgical outcomes with those of isolated intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between March 2013 and December 2018, 38 patients with ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fracture were identified at two institutions. Twenty-eight patients with ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures were enrolled in the present study. After propensity score matching, fifty-six patients with isolated intertrochanteric (group B) and femoral shaft (group C) fractures were finally enrolled in the present study for 1:2 matching to compare surgical outcomes to that of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures (Group A).

RESULTS

All 28 patients achieved union of intertrochanteric fractures, while two experienced non-union of femoral shaft fractures. The union time of intertrochanteric fractures in group A was significantly shorter than that in group B. The union time of femoral shaft fractures in group A was significantly longer than that in group C.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical treatment of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures using long PFNA was advantageous as it allowed both fractures on the same femur to be fixed in one go and showed good surgical outcomes. However, fixation of femoral shaft fractures might be insufficient depending on the fracture level and configuration, and can be a cause of hypertrophic non-union.

Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Intertrochanteric or Subtrochanteric Fractures Associated with Ipsilateral Femoral Shaft Fractures Treated with Closed Intramedullary Nailing: A Review of 31 Consecutive Cases over Four Years at a Single Institution

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures and assess the surgical outcomes of a novel, closed intramedullary nailing surgical approach designed to minimize fixation failure.

Materials and Methods

Between May 2013 and April 2017, 31 patients with intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures treated with closed intramedullary nailing or long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) were enrolled in this study. Preoperative data included age, sex, injury severity score, body mass index, location of shaft fracture, injury mechanism, accompanying traumatic injury, walking ability before injury, and surgical timing. Perioperative outcomes, including follow-up period, types of intramedullary nails, number of blocking screws used, operation time, and blood loss were assessed. Radiologic outcomes, including union rate, time from surgery to union, and femoral shortening, and clinical outcomes, including hip flexion, walking ability, and Harris hip score were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 29 unions (93.5%) were achieved. The time to union was 16.8 months (range, 11–25 months) for hip fractures (15.7 weeks for intertrochanteric fractures and 21.7 weeks for subtrochanteric fractures) and 22.8 months for femoral shaft fractures. There were no significant differences in surgical outcomes between the two groups except for type of intramedullary nail.

Conclusion

Closed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures may be a good surgical option. However, fixation of femoral shaft fractures might not be sufficient depending on the implant design.

INTERTAN nail versus proximal femoral nail antirotation-Asia for intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly patients with primary osteoporosis

Objectives To compare the long-term functional and radiographic outcomes of the proximal femoral nail antirotation-Asia (PFNA-II) and INTERTAN nail (IT) in the management of intertrochanteric femoral fractures (IFFs) (AO/OTA Type 31A1.1-A2.3) in elderly patients with primary osteoporosis. Methods A retrospective comparative study was performed in our institution. From January 2009 to March 2012, 243 patients with osteoporosis (243 hips) with IFFs (AO/OTA Type 3.1A1.1-A2.3) underwent repair with either a PFNA-II or IT. Follow-up assessments were performed 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively and every year thereafter. All implant position changes were noted. Patient-related functional outcomes were evaluated based on the Harris hip score. Results In total, 174 patients with osteoporosis (IT, n = 86; PFNA-II, n = 88) were evaluated during a mean follow-up period of 40 months (range, 38-60 months). An increased risk of femoral shaft fracture after implant removal was observed at month 9 of follow-up in 0.0% and 4.4% of the IT and PFNA-II groups, respectively. This difference remained over time with rates of 1.1% and 6.8%, respectively, at the last follow-up. Conclusion The IT nail appears to be a reliable implant in the management of IFFs (AO/OTA Type 3.1A1.1-A2.3) in elderly patients with primary osteoporosis.

Twenty-Year Experience with Rigid Intramedullary Nailing of Femoral Shaft Fractures in Skeletally Immature Patients

BACKGROUND

Debate exists over the safety of rigid intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in skeletally immature patients. The goal of this study was to describe functional outcomes and complication rates of rigid intramedullary nailing in pediatric patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of femoral shaft fractures in skeletally immature patients treated with trochanteric rigid intramedullary nailing from 1987 to 2009. Radiographs made at initial injury, immediately postoperatively, and at the latest follow-up were reviewed. Patients were administered the Nonarthritic Hip Score and a survey.

RESULTS

The study population of 241 patients with 246 fractures was primarily male (75%) with a mean age of 12.9 years (range, eight to seventeen years). The majority of fractures were closed (92%) and associated injuries were common (45%). The mean operative time was 119 minutes, and the mean estimated blood loss was 202 mL. The mean clinical follow-up time was 16.2 months (range, three to seventy-nine months), and there were ninety-three patients with a minimum two-year clinical and radiographic follow-up. An increase of articulotrochanteric distance of >5 mm was noted in 15.1% (fourteen of ninety-three patients) at a minimum two-year follow-up; however, clinically relevant growth disturbance was only observed in two patients (2.2%) with the development of asymptomatic coxa valga. There was no femoral head osteonecrosis. Among the 246 fractures, twenty-four complications (9.8%) occurred. At the time of the latest follow-up, 1.7% (four of 241 patients) reported pain. The average Nonarthritic Hip Score was 92.4 points (range, 51 to 100 points), and 100% of patients reported satisfaction with their treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Rigid intramedullary nailing is an effective technique for treatment of femoral shaft fractures in pediatric patients with an acceptable rate of complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

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

Biomechanical effects of hardware configuration after union of proximal femoral and shaft fractures

OBJECTIVES

The use of two implants to manage concomitant ipsilateral femoral shaft and proximal femoral fractures has been indicated, but no studies address the relationship of dynamic hip screw (DHS) side plate screws and the intramedullary nail where failure might occur after union. This study compares different implant configurations in order to investigate bridging the gap between the distal DHS and tip of the intramedullary nail.

METHODS

A total of 29 left synthetic femora were tested in three groups: 1) gapped short nail (GSN); 2) unicortical short nail (USN), differing from GSN by the use of two unicortical bridging screws; and 3) bicortical long nail (BLN), with two angled bicortical and one unicortical bridging screws. With these findings, five matched-pairs of cadaveric femora were tested in two groups: 1) unicortical long nail (ULN), with a longer nail than USN and three bridging unicortical screws; and 2) BLN. Specimens were axially loaded to 22.7 kg (50 lb), and internally rotated 90°/sec until failure.

RESULTS

For synthetic femora, a difference was detected between GSN and BLN in energy to failure (p = 0.04) and torque at failure (p = 0.02), but not between USN and other groups for energy to failure (vs GSN, p = 0.71; vs BLN, p = 0.19) and torque at failure (vs GSN, p = 0.55; vs BLN, p = 0.15). For cadaveric femora, ULN and BLN performed similarly because of the improvement provided by the bridging screws.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that bicortical angled screws in the DHS side plate are superior to no screws at all in this model and loading scenario, and suggests that adding unicortical screws to a gapped construct is probably beneficial.

A comparative study of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures treated with long proximal femoral nail antirotation or plate combinations

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA-long) and plate combinations in the treatment of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures.

METHODS

Between March 2004 and April 2009, 23 patients with ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures were treated with PFNA-long or plate combinations. The patients were divided into two groups. Group I contained 13 patients who were treated with dynamic hip screws (DHS) combined with compression plate fixation. The 10 patients in Group II were treated with PFNA-long.

RESULTS

The average follow-up was 17.8 and 16.8 months for Groups I and II, respectively. The average union time for intertrochanteric fractures was 17.4 and 16.6 weeks in Groups I and II, respectively, and for femoral shaft fracture 22.2 and 21.5 weeks, respectively. There were nine good, two fair, and two poor functional results in Group I, and eight good, one fair, and one poor in Group II. There was nonunion of two femoral shaft fractures in Group I and one in Group II. There were no significant differences between the two groups in functional outcomes or major complications.

CONCLUSION

Both treatment methods achieve satisfactory functional outcomes in patients with ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures. PFNA-long is the better choice for the treatment of complex fractures, having the advantages of minimal exposure, reduced perioperative blood loss, and achievement of biological fixation of both fractures with a single implant.

Proximal femoral fractures in the elderly: how are we measuring outcome?

INTRODUCTION

Patients with proximal femoral fractures present a difficult problem to health care systems in view of their complex presentations and co-morbidities. Traditionally, the focus of outcome measurement for this patient group has been on mortality and surgical implant success. Increasing recognition of the need to diversify outcome measurements has led to the creation and use of a number of outcome scales. We sought to examine how these scales are being used in the current literature.

METHODS

Abstracts to over 4000 papers related to proximal femoral fracture research were screened to identify commonly used scales in the five main categories of general quality of life measures (QoL), Activities of Daily Living scales (ADL), mobility and physical performance scales, disease-specific scales and hip-specific scales. The 14 identified scales were then searched for directly, and papers analysed for scale usage, timing and interpretation.

RESULTS

ADL scales were the most commonly used group, followed by QoL measures, which are validated for elderly patients. Scale timing and use varied widely between studies. A large number of scales were found in addition to the 14 identified scales. None of the 14 identified scales were validated for the proximal femoral fracture population.

DISCUSSION

A good scale must be appropriate in content, method and clinical utility. Its method of application must be reliable, responsive, and validated for the population in question. Outcome scale usage was difficult to assess in proximal femoral fracture research due to difficulties in isolating the relevant research, and in differences in scale timing and interpretation. Scale prevalence was skewed by use by specific research groups.

CONCLUSION

There is no single unifying scale in widespread use for proximal femoral fracture patients. We would recommend the validation of commonly used scales for this population, and would advise the use of scales from more than one category to assess outcome.

Musculoskeletal function and quality of life in elderly patients after a subtrochanteric femoral fracture treated with a cephalomedullary nail

OBJECTIVES

To report the musculoskeletal function and health-related quality of life in elderly patients after a subtrochanteric fracture treated with a single lag screw cephalomedullary nail.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study with a minimum 1-year follow-up.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Fifty-three patients, mean age 82 years (range, 61-94 years), with a subtrochanteric fracture of the femur.

INTERVENTION

Fixation with a long Gamma cephalomedullary nail.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Reoperation rate, musculoskeletal function (Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol-5D).

RESULTS

Six patients (11%) were reoperated on, five as a result of technical failures and one as a result of an ipsilateral fracture of the distal femur. The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Dysfunction Index increased from 18 before the fracture to 46 at 4 months and 43 at 12 months. The corresponding values for the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Bother Index were 10 before the fracture and 43 and 40 at 4 and 12 months (P < 0.001 between follow-ups and before fracture for both indices). The EuroQol-5Dindex score decreased from 0.85 to 0.49 at 4 months and remained at almost the same level at 12 months, 0.52 (P < 0.001 between follow-ups and before fracture).

CONCLUSIONS

A subtrochanteric fracture treated with a single lag screw cephalomedullary nail had a substantial negative impact on the patient's musculoskeletal function according to the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment as well as on the patient's health-related quality of life. However, the need for revision surgery was comparatively low.

Cephalomedullary screws as the standard proximal locking screws for nailing femoral shaft fractures

OBJECTIVES

In 2004, we modified our technique for the stabilization of femoral shaft fractures so that all fractures were stabilized using a reconstruction nail with proximal locking screws oriented into the femoral head. The rationale for this was twofold: first, potentially "missed" associated femoral neck fractures would be stabilized. Second, hip fractures that might occur later in life above the intramedullary nail might be avoided. The purpose of this study therefore was to determine whether there were any risks to patients treated for femoral shaft fractures with antegrade nails using cephalomedullary proximal locking screws.

DESIGN

Retrospective.

SETTING

Two regional trauma centers.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-seven consecutive patients were treated for a femoral shaft fracture treated with antegrade femoral nailing with a cephalomedullary locked nail.

INTERVENTION

Reamed, trochanteric insertion of an intramedullary nail with proximal locking screws placed in a cephalomedullary direction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

Patient and injury data, radiographic analyses, and complications of treatment were assessed at a minimum of 12 months.

RESULTS

Sixty-one of 87 patients (70%) were available at a mean of 19.8 months (range, 12-44 months). Sixty of 61 fractures united after the index procedure. Complications included one delayed union successfully treated with exchange nailing, one distal locking screw fracture (allowing dynamization and completion of fracture healing), two patients with postoperative deformity that required a derotation procedure, and two drill bits that broke intraoperatively and were retained. There were no major complications at the hip, no migration or failure of proximal locking screws, and no screws required removal.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a reconstruction nail and cephalomedullary proximal locking screws for antegrade femoral nailing of femoral shaft fractures was not associated with major complications in this series. This modification of standard femoral nailing offers potential advantages, including fixation of any "missed" associated femoral neck fractures and prevention of late hip fractures that might occur above the nail.