Treatment of bilateral simultaneous subtrochanteric femur fractures with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) in a patient with osteopetrosis: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Osteopetrosis is a rare, inherited disease characterized by defects in osteoclastic function that results in defective bone resorption [1]. Clinically, it is characterized by dense, sclerotic and deformed bones [1, 2]. The fragility of dense, sclerotic bones leads to an increased incidence of fractures [2]. The fractures most frequently involve the upper third of the femur and the upper third of the tibia [3]. In the past, different treatment modalities had been attempted, but the ideal implant for the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures with osteopetrosis is still a matter for discussion [4–10]. We present a patient with a history of osteopetrosis who was admitted to our hospital with acute bilateral subtrochanteric femur fractures. In the literature, this case is the first report of the use of proximal femur nail antirotation (PFNA) in the treatment of a fracture in a patient with osteopetrosis.