BACKGROUND: Fracture shaft of femur is amongst one of the commonest major diaphyseal injuries in school going children presenting to us at emergency rooms of our hospitals. The presence of a growing proximal and distal physes imposes a real challenge in management of these fractures. The use of titanium elastic nails has gained wide acceptance for stabilizing these fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 53 children of age group 6 to 12 years were included in the study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of subjects was 8.87 ± 1.64 years of which 39 were males and 14 were females. The femoral shaft fractures were stabilized using titanium elastic nails and followed up for a mean duration of six months. The outcomes were evaluated based on Flynn's criteria. RESULTS: We obtained excellent outcome in 75.5% of our cases, satisfactory outcome in 17% and poor outcome in 7.5% of cases. We found no statistically significant difference in outcome in patients of age 9 years or less compared to 10 years or older. CONCLUSION: Patient selection is important to obtain good results using titanium elastic nails. Mid diaphyseal femoral shaft fractures with minimal comminution are ideal fractures for treatment using titanium elastic nails.
BACKGROUND:Fracture shaft of femur is amongst one of the commonest major diaphyseal injuries in school going children presenting to us at emergency rooms of our hospitals. The presence of a growing proximal and distal physes imposes a real challenge in management of these fractures. The use of titanium elastic nails has gained wide acceptance for stabilizing these fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 53 children of age group 6 to 12 years were included in the study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of subjects was 8.87 ± 1.64 years of which 39 were males and 14 were females. The femoral shaft fractures were stabilized using titanium elastic nails and followed up for a mean duration of six months. The outcomes were evaluated based on Flynn's criteria. RESULTS: We obtained excellent outcome in 75.5% of our cases, satisfactory outcome in 17% and poor outcome in 7.5% of cases. We found no statistically significant difference in outcome in patients of age 9 years or less compared to 10 years or older. CONCLUSION:Patient selection is important to obtain good results using titanium elastic nails. Mid diaphyseal femoral shaft fractures with minimal comminution are ideal fractures for treatment using titanium elastic nails.
Authors: Unni G Narayanan; Joshua E Hyman; Andrew M Wainwright; Mercer Rang; Benjamin A Alman Journal: J Pediatr Orthop Date: 2004 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.324
Authors: John M Flynn; Lael M Luedtke; Theodore J Ganley; Judy Dawson; Richard S Davidson; John P Dormans; Malcolm L Ecker; John R Gregg; B David Horn; Denis S Drummond Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2004-04 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: Scott J Luhmann; Mario Schootman; Perry L Schoenecker; Matthew B Dobbs; J Eric Gordon Journal: J Pediatr Orthop Date: 2003 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.324