It is unusual, if not unique, for three major research papers concerned with the management of the fractured neck of femur (FNOF) to be published in a short period of time, each describing large prospective randomized clinical trials. These studies were conducted in up to 17 countries worldwide, involving up to 80 surgical centers and include large numbers of patients (up to 2,900) with FNOF. Each article investigated common clinical dilemmas; the first paper comparing total hip arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty for FNOF, the second as to whether ‘fast track’ care offers improved clinical outcomes and the third, compares sliding hip with multiple cancellous hip screws. Each paper has been deemed of sufficient quality and importance to warrant publication in The Lancet or the New England Journal of Medicine. Although ‘premier’ journals, they only occationally contain orthopaedic studies and thus may not be routinely read by the busy orthopaedic/surgical clinician of any grade. It is therefore our intention with this present article to accurately summarize and combine the results of all three papers, presenting, in our opinion, the most important clinically relevant facts. Cite this article:
The Precice intramedullary limb-lengthening system has demonstrated significant benefits over external fixation lengthening methods, leading to a paradigm shift in limb lengthening. This study compares outcomes following antegrade and retrograde femoral lengthening in both adolescent and adult patients. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was undertaken of a consecutive series of 107 femoral lengthening operations in 92 patients. In total, 73 antegrade nails and 34 retrograde nails were inserted. Outcome was assessed by the regenerate healing index (HI), hip and knee range of movement (ROM), and the presence of any complications.Aims
Patients and Methods
Double-level lengthening, bone transport, and bifocal compression-distraction are commonly undertaken using Ilizarov or other fixators. We performed double-level fixator-assisted nailing, mainly for the correction of deformity and lengthening in the same segment, using a straight intramedullary nail to reduce the time in a fixator. A total of 23 patients underwent this surgery, involving 27 segments (23 femora and four tibiae), over a period of ten years. The most common indication was polio in ten segments and rickets in eight; 20 nails were inserted retrograde and seven antegrade. A total of 15 lengthenings were performed in 11 femora and four tibiae, and 12 double-level corrections of deformity without lengthening were performed in the femur. The mean follow-up was 4.9 years (1.1 to 11.4). Four patients with polio had tibial lengthening with arthrodesis of the ankle. We compared the length of time in a fixator and the external fixation index (EFI) with a control group of 27 patients (27 segments) who had double-level procedures with external fixation. The groups were matched for the gain in length, age, and level of difficulty score.Aims
Patients and Methods
