Interlocking nailing for treating comminuted fractures of the shaft of femur

Abstract

Background: The fracture of the femoral shaft is one of the most frequent fractures seen in orthopaedic practise. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the operative procedure for managing communited fractures of the femoral shaft using interlocking fixation. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Pathankot, Punjab, with patients who presented to our emergency department as participants. We included all patients over the age of 18 who presented to our emergency department with a comminuted femoral shaft fracture. All patients underwent interlocking nailing. Results: During the study period, 62 patients fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria, 79% of which were males. In the present study, 50% of the patients demonstrated clinical union of the fracture in 12 to 14 weeks, 24% had clinical union in 10 to 12 weeks, while 26% had clinical union in 14 to 16 weeks. Similarly, majority of the patients showed radiological union of the fracture in 16 to 18 weeks (48%). Radiological union occurred in 23% in 14 to 16 weeks and in 29% in 18 to 20 weeks. Majority (77%) of the patients stayed in hospital for 10 to 14 days and the functional outcome as measured by Klemm and Borner criteria was excellent in 63% patients. Infection (5%) and limb length discrepancy less than 5 mm (3%) were the only complications observed in our patient population. Conclusions: Our results show that Interlocking nailing results in good functional outcome with minimal complications.