IPSILATERAL NON-UNION FRACTURE NECK AND SHAFT OF FEMUR WITH BROKEN IMPLANT IN SITU TREATED BY ORTHO-FIX LIMB RECONSTRUCTION SYSTEM AND EXTERNAL FIXATOR WITHOUT BONE GRAFTING OR CORTICOTOMY: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Non-union is a well-known complication of fractures of the femoral neck. The concurrence of non-union of the femoral shaft and the femoral neck is a rare combination that will cause significant challanges during surgery. There are controversies in the literature regarding fracture fixation techniques, such as intramedullary versus extramedullary implants and single versus double implants for both fractures, especially in youthful patients. We discuss our experience in treating a juvenile patient with non-union fracture neck of femur and ipsilateral femoral shaft, and a broken implant in situ.Orthofix limb reconstruction system (LRS) is utilised for non-union fracture shaft of femur, while fracture neck of femur is provisionally stabilised by external fixator. The radiological union of the femoral neck occurred at 6 weeks and the femoral shaft at 7 months. At 9 months, the LRS was removed, and at 10 months, the patient had nearly full hip and knee range of motion. Orthofix LRS is a viable option for the treatment of ipsilateral non-union fractures of the shaft and neck of the femur, especially when infection is present or suspected.