Hans Peter Bögl1,2, Georg Zdolsek2, Karl Michaëlsson3, Jonas Höijer3, Jörg Schilcher2. 1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gävle Hospital, Gävle, Sweden. 2. Department of Orthopedics and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. 3. Section of Orthopedics, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Sweden, approximately 1 in 4 women who are ≥50 years of age will sustain a hip fracture. Patients treated for a femoral shaft fracture are likely to have an even higher risk. We hypothesized that intramedullary nails protecting the femoral neck reduce the risk of subsequent hip fracture and allow the patient to avoid a challenging reoperation. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2010, 5,475 fractures of the femoral shaft, in patients who were ≥55 years of age, were registered in a national registry in Sweden. Of these patients, 897 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. We used radiographs and register data to identify the reasons for and the types of reoperation that occurred between the index surgical procedure and December 31, 2014. The categories of implants were determined through a review of radiographs as intramedullary nails with and without femoral neck protection. Reoperations related to peri-implant fractures (including hip fractures) were analyzed as a subgroup of all major reoperations. Multivariable-adjusted, cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated to compare the risk of reoperation between cases with nails with and without femoral neck protection. RESULTS: Among the 897 patients, a total of 82 reoperations were performed. In 640 patients who were treated with intramedullary nails with femoral neck protection, there were 7 peri-implant fractures (no hip fractures) and 27 major reoperations. Among the 257 patients who were treated with intramedullary nails without femoral neck protection, 14 peri-implant hip fractures and 24 major reoperations were identified. Patients who received nails with femoral neck protection had a lower hazard for any peri-implant fracture (multivariable-adjusted cause-specific HR, 0.19 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.07 to 0.5]) and major reoperation (multivariable-adjusted cause-specific HR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.28 to 0.92]). CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary nails with femoral neck protection in the treatment of low-energy femoral shaft fractures prevent secondary hip fractures and decrease the overall risk of reoperation for 4 to 6 years postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
BACKGROUND: In Sweden, approximately 1 in 4 women who are ≥50 years of age will sustain a hip fracture. Patients treated for a femoral shaft fracture are likely to have an even higher risk. We hypothesized that intramedullary nails protecting the femoral neck reduce the risk of subsequent hip fracture and allow the patient to avoid a challenging reoperation. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2010, 5,475 fractures of the femoral shaft, in patients who were ≥55 years of age, were registered in a national registry in Sweden. Of these patients, 897 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. We used radiographs and register data to identify the reasons for and the types of reoperation that occurred between the index surgical procedure and December 31, 2014. The categories of implants were determined through a review of radiographs as intramedullary nails with and without femoral neck protection. Reoperations related to peri-implant fractures (including hip fractures) were analyzed as a subgroup of all major reoperations. Multivariable-adjusted, cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated to compare the risk of reoperation between cases with nails with and without femoral neck protection. RESULTS: Among the 897 patients, a total of 82 reoperations were performed. In 640 patients who were treated with intramedullary nails with femoral neck protection, there were 7 peri-implant fractures (no hip fractures) and 27 major reoperations. Among the 257 patients who were treated with intramedullary nails without femoral neck protection, 14 peri-implant hip fractures and 24 major reoperations were identified. Patients who received nails with femoral neck protection had a lower hazard for any peri-implant fracture (multivariable-adjusted cause-specific HR, 0.19 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.07 to 0.5]) and major reoperation (multivariable-adjusted cause-specific HR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.28 to 0.92]). CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary nails with femoral neck protection in the treatment of low-energy femoral shaft fractures prevent secondary hip fractures and decrease the overall risk of reoperation for 4 to 6 years postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.