Recurrent rotational deformity of the femur after static locking of intramedullary nails
Melamed, E.A.; Zinman, C.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume 79(6): 1039
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-620X PMID: 9393930 Document Number: 476644
Rotational deformity following intramedullary nailing may cause symptoms and require surgical correction by osteotomy. Reamed, locked intramedullary nailing may be performed, but concern about cortical blood supply and potential pulmonary dysfunction from reaming have led many surgeons to limit this and use smaller diameter nails. Slotted nails are commonly used but are less stiff in torsion than the newer unslotted nails, particularly at the lower diameters. We report two cases of recurrent femoral rotational deformity after using statically interlocked slotted intramedullary nails to correct existing femoral rotational deformities. These patients show that small diameter statically interlocked femoral nails with diminished bone-nail contact must be stiff enough in rotation to avoid potential recurrence.