The Results of Retrograd Intramedullary Elastic Nailing in the Treatment of Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of retrograd intramedullary nailing treatment in children with femoral shaft fracture. METHODS: In this study, 20 patients, were included who applied to Mustafa Kemal University Research Hospital and were treated with retrograd intramedullary elastic nailing because of femoral shaft fracture. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 14.5 months (9–24 months) and mean follow-up time was 8.3 years (4.5–14 years). The average length of stay in hospital were 3.4 days. The average reunion duration were detected as 7.8 weeks. There was no significant difference between reunion durations of open and closed fractures. Valgus alignment of 7 degrees was observed in one patient and 5 degrees in one other patient. But it did not result any functional or clinical restrictions. There were not any increase of anterior-posterior angle or any rotational deformities observed. Extremity length difference below 1cm was detected in 3 of the patients and length difference between 1–1.5 cm was detected in 2 patients. When patients were evaluated according to Flynn’s criteria, the results were excellent in 14 patients (70%), good in 5 patients (25%) and poor in 1 patient (5%). CONCLUSION: Elastic intramedullary nailing treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children between 5–14 years of age is a safe and effective treatment.