PF12 Limb lenghthening with intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor (iSKD)

Abstract

Introduction: Fractures of the shaft of the femur are among the most common fractures encountered in orthopaedic practice. These fractures are often the result of high-energy trauma and may be associatedwithmultiple system injuries. Intramedullary interlocking nailing is a common used method for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures. Bending of an intramedullary nail due to secondary high-energy trauma is a rare condition. Nevertheless, bending intramedullary nail without a major trauma is a very rare condition in the literature. Materials andMethods:We report bending of an intramedullary nail which had been used in the treatment of a prior femoral diaphyseal fracture in a 19-year-old male patient who was admitted on foot to our outpatient clinic for a deformity in his right thigh. There was not any major trauma history. Results: The patient was operated 9 months ago because of femoral shaft fracture and he has not come to the last follow-up. In the plain radiographies bent femoral intramedullary nail and nonunion with refracture was detected. The bent nail was corrected partially by applying external force under anesthesia and then removed by standard extraction technique and osteosynthesis was performed with a thicker intramedullary locking nail. Conclusion: Bending of an intramedullary nail withoutmajor trauma like in this patient is very rare. Most of the cases in the literature occur due to high-energy trauma, and different extraction methods are described in the literature. Applying external force carefully may help to correct bent nail and this may facilitate the removal of nail.