Journal of orthopaedic trauma
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Large displaced fractures of the femoral head require open reduction and internal fixation. If the displaced fragments are small, open reduction may not be possible and excision of the fragment or nonoperative care may be the treatment of choice. Surgical approaches that have been used for open reduction and internal fixation include the Smith-Petersen approach, Watson-Jones approach, Kocher-Langenbeck approach, a posterior approach with a trochanteric flip osteotomy, and surgical dislocation of the hip. Here, we describe the use of the modified Heuter direct anterior approach for open reduction and internal fixation of femoral head fractures in 2 patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of knee function after antegrade and retrograde intramedullary nailing for diaphyseal femoral fractures: results of isokinetic evaluation.
To evaluate knee function in patients having femoral diaphyseal fractures treated with antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nail insertion. ⋯ Knee function seems to have similar clinical results after either antegrade or retrograde nail insertion for femoral diaphyseal fractures when knee range of motion, Lysholm Scores, and isokinetic knee evaluation are considered as outcome measures. With increasing patient age, a decrease in knee functioning should be anticipated in patients with femoral fractures treated with intramedullary nails regardless of technique.
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical comparison of proximal locking plates and blade plates for the treatment of comminuted subtrochanteric femoral fractures.
The 95 degrees angled blade plate is an accepted standard for plating subtrochanteric femoral fractures but can be technically demanding and often requires extensive soft tissue exposure. Proximal femoral locking plates (PFLPs) have been developed for subtrochanteric and pertrochanteric fractures and are potentially easier to apply with less soft tissue dissection. Clinical experience has raised concerns regarding the strength of the PFLP. The purpose of our study was to compare the relative stability of two designs of PFLP with the 95 degrees angled blade plate under loads simulating the first 3 months of progressive weight bearing after fracture fixation. ⋯ In the model studied, N-PFLPs were shown to have biomechanical properties that were at least equivalent to those of the blade plate. The fatigue failures of O-PFLPs mirrored our clinical experience. Use of the N-PFLP might be a viable alternative fixation method for comminuted subtrochanteric femoral fractures that currently are treated with blade plates.
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Comparative Study
A biomechanical comparison of locked plate fixation with percutaneous insertion capability versus the angled blade plate in a subtrochanteric fracture gap model.
The angled blade plate has been the historical standard in fixed-angle extramedullary subtrochanteric femur fracture fixation, but it requires an extensile lateral approach to the femur. Little formal evaluation exists for specifically designed percutaneous extramedullary implants. The purpose of this study was to compare 3 locked plating constructs, all with percutaneous insertion capability, with the standard 95-degree angled blade plate to determine whether specifically designed fixed-angle extramedullary implants for subtrochanteric femur fractures were biomechanically comparable to the angled blade plate. ⋯ Our data reveal that the PFLP with the "kickstand" screw provides more axial stiffness, less torsional stiffness, and equivalent irreversible deformation to cyclic axial loading when compared with the blade plate.
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To determine the effectiveness of closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for the treatment of femoral shaft nonunions previously treated with an intramedullary nail. ⋯ Closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for femoral shaft nonunions previously treated with intramedullary nails has proved to be a successful sole procedure in most cases. A nail at least 2 mm larger in diameter than the first nail should be used if possible. Risk factors of treatment failure should alert the surgeon to consider an alternative treatment to closed exchange nailing.