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Subtrochanteric Fracture Reduction during Intramedullary Nailing: Technical Note

Article information

J Musculoskelet Trauma. 2019;32(2):107-111
Publication date (electronic) : 2019 April 16
doi : https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2019.32.2.107
Gyu Min Kong, M.D., Ph.D.orcid_icon
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
Correspondence to: Gyu Min Kong, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, 875 Haeun-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan 48108, Korea. Tel: +82-51-797-0668, Fax: +82-51-797-0669, docos@naver.com
Received 2019 February 22; Revised 2019 March 25; Accepted 2019 April 01.

Abstract

The subtrochanteric area is the place where mechanical stress is most concentrated in the femur. When a fracture happens, bone union is delayed and nonunion often occurs. The recommended treatment for atypical fractures is an anatomical reduction of the fracture site as the frequency of nonunion is higher than that of ordinary fractures. Various reduction methods have been suggested, and good results have been obtained. On the other hand, the occurrence of posterior displacement of the distal fragment during the insertion of an intramedullary nail is often overlooked. This is probably because the bone marrow of the femur tends to form an elliptical shape in the anteroposterior direction. The author attempted to insert a blocking screw into the distal part of the fracture to prevent posterior displacement of the distal fragment while performing intramedullary nailing of the femur fracture and achieved a good reduction state easily.

Keywords: Blocking screw; Intramedullary nail; Subtrochanteric fracture

Notes

Financial support

None.

Conflict of interests

None.

References

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Copyright © 2019 The Korean Fracture Society. All rights reserved.
The Korean Fracture Society

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Fig. 1

Fig. 1

Initial radiographs of a 76-year-old woman showing an atypical fracture of the subtrochanteric region of the femur.

Fig. 2

Fig. 2

Internal fixation was performed with a long-length proximal femoral nail antirotation, and a single poller screw was inserted into the anterior part of the intramedullary nail. A distal locking screw was inserted in dynamic mode (arrows).

Fig. 3

Fig. 3

Complete bone union was achieved 5 months after surgery.

Fig. 4

Fig. 4

(A, B) External rotation and abduction deformity of the proximal fragment was corrected by inserting the Steinmann pin for the joy stick method, which was followed by advancing a straight guide wire through the proper entry point. (C, D) In the anteroposterior view, the reduction of the fracture appeared to be good.

Fig. 5

Fig. 5

When the marrow canal is wide, the distal fragment is displaced posteriorly.

Fig. 6

Fig. 6

(A) With traction of the leg and maintaining the fracture gap, insert a Steinmann pin through the lateral side cortical bone and make contact with the front of the intramedullary nail while entering. (B, C) With the far cortical bone not passing through, if lifting the pin out of the skin, the distal bone fragment moves forward and the posterior displacement is corrected. (D) After obtaining anatomical alignment, if the traction released, the gap of the fracture part decreases, and appropriate reduction can be achieved.