Abstract
Introduction
Metabolic bone disease encompasses disorders of bone mineralization, abnormal matrix formation or deposition and alteration in osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity. In the paediatric cohort, patients with metabolic bone disease present with pain, fractures and deformities. The aim was to evaluate the use of lateral entry rigid intramedullary nailing in lower limbs in children and adolescents.
Materials and Methods
Retrospective review was performed for an 11-year period. Lower limb rigid intramedullary nailing was performed in 27 patients with a total of 63 segments (57 femora, 6 tibiae). Majority of patients had underlying diagnoses of osteogenesis imperfecta or fibrous dysplasia (including McCune Albright disease). Mean age at surgery was 14 years. Indications for surgery included acute fractures, prophylactic stabilisation, previous nonunion and malunion, deformity correction and lengthening via distraction osteogenesis.
Results
All fractures healed. Correction of deformity was successfully achieved in all segments. Delayed union occurred in 4 segments in 1 patient and was successfully treated with nail dynamization. Other complications included prominence, cortical penetrance and loosening of locking screws. One patient who had lengthening performed had nonunion and was managed with exchange nailing and adjunctive measures.
Conclusions
Rigid intramedullary nailing is very effective in stabilisation and deformity correction of long bones in adolescent patients with pathological bone disease. The technique has low complication rates. We recommend the use of this technique in paediatric units with experience in managing metabolic bone conditions.
