O3433 INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING AS A FINAL TREATMENT IN FEMORAL SHAFT PSEUDARTROSIS

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of intrerlocking nailing (ILMN) as a þnal treatment of non septic femoral shaft pseudarthrosis. Material- Methods: The study involved 35 patiens suffering a femoral pseudarthrosis who underwent þxation with ILMN as a þnal treatment between 1999–2001. 31 male and 4 female individuals with a mean age of 25 years were followed up postoperatively for 24 months. Primary treatment had been done with plating in 29 pts, external þxation in 2 pts, AO nail in 3 and R-Tnail in one patient. The period between primary and þnal treatment ranged from 9 to 46 months. After the removal of primary þxation components all patients treated with ILMN for þxation but only 8 of them underwent autogenous bone grafting. Dynamic ILMN has been done in 32 out of 35 patiens (91%)Results: Clinical healing and radiological callus formation was apparent in all patiens after a period of 18 to 26 weeks (average time 20w). Serious complications were not observed. Light stiffness of the knee joint was noted in one and residual pain in distal metaphysis in two cases. Conclusions: The sort- term results from the use of LIN in treatment of femoral shaft pseudarthrosis have been more than encouraging. We recommend the reaming technique and the dynamization of the nail for optimal outcome. Bone grafting is not necessary.