Medialized Trochanteric Starting Point and Focused Lateral Endosteal Beak Reaming to Optimize Success of Intramedullary Nailing in Atypical Femur Fractures: A Technical Trick and Case Series

J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Aug;33(8):e313-e317. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001511.

Abstract

Optimal intramedullary treatment of atypical femur fractures associated with bisphosphonate use requires avoidance of postoperative malreduction, particularly varus. This can be difficult to achieve, given the fracture location, errors with nail entry point, endosteal beaking, and underlying patient osteology, all of which can contribute to postoperative varus and predispose the patient to treatment failure. We present a surgical technique and clinical series of 10 patients emphasizing a medialized trochanteric nail entry point and preferential lateral endosteal reaming to secure a biologically and biomechanically favorable reduction and fixation.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Nails*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Fractures / etiology
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery*
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / methods*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates