Incidence of Varus Malalignment Post Interlocking Nail in Proximal Femur Shaft Fractures Comparing Two Types of Entry Points
- Author:
Sadagatullah AN
;
Nazeeb MN
;
Ibrahim S
- Publication Type:Original article
- Keywords:
interlocking nail;
greater trochanter entry point;
varus deformity;
femur shaft fracture
- From:Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
2017;11(3):31-35
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Osteosynthesis of the femur using an
interlocking nail is the gold standard for treating diaphyseal
fractures of the femur. There are two established entry points
for the antegrade interlocking nails which is the piriformis
fossa or the greater trochanter. It has been reported that varus
malalignment was frequently seen in proximal femur
fracture which were treated with interlocking nail utilizing
the greater trochanter entry point. The study was done to find
out if the problem was of significance.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study
which included 179 patients with femur fractures which were
treated from January 2013 till September 2015 in one
Hospital. They were treated with interlocking nail either by
utilizing the piriformis fossa (PF) or the greater trochanter
(GT) entry points. Post-operative radiographs of the femur
were used to measure the varus deformity.
Results: Out of 179 patients, there were 5 patients who were
reported to have unacceptable varus malalignment (2.79%).
These 5 patients were out of the 88 (5.68%) patients utilizing
the greater trochanter as the entry point. The same 5 patients
were out 90 patients that were diagnosed with proximal
femur shaft fractures (5.55%). Analysis with logistic
regression was statistically not significant.
Conclusion: There was higher rate of varus malalignment
seen in proximal femur shaft fractures treated with
interlocking nails utilizing the greater trochanter entry point.
The incidence of varus malalignment was not significant
statistically.
Key Words:
interlocking nail; greater trochanter entry point; varus
deformity; femur shaft fracture
