Background: Traditional short nail fixation devices used for intertrochanteric (IT) fractures of the femur have several surgeon and patient benefits. However, these devices have had a high incidence of complications. A new intramedullary device designed to overcome these shortcomings has become commercially available. The goal of this study was to compare this intramedullary nail device with the traditional dynamic hip screw. Method: A prospective cohort study with 60 IT hip fractures was performed. Thirty patients treated with the trochanteric fixation nail (TFN) were compared with 30 patients treated with the dynamic hip screw (DHS) during the same time period. Implant selection was dictated by surgeon randomization. Primary outcomes planned for this study were immediate measures of operative blood loss, surgical time, and incidence of operative complications. Secondary outcome of return to preoperative ambulatory status was also recorded. Follow-up for secondary outcomes was conducted at an average of 6 months after surgery. Perioperative, functional, and radiologic outcome measures were collected. Result: No intra- or perioperative complications occurred with the new nail device. Operative time was 10 minutes shorter with TFN (50.7 minutes) compared with DHS (60.4 minutes). No Trendelenburg gait was noted in either group. No femur fractures or distal locking difficulties occurred in the TFN group. Twelve of 17 (71%) TFN patients returned to prefracture ambulation 6 months after surgery compared with only 6 of 18 (33%) DHS patients (p = 0.09). Conclusion: The rate of femoral fractures for short femoral nails was decreased compared with historical controls. Improved early mobilization was noted in TFN group.
There are several options for the treatment of long bone fractures in skeletally immature patients. Surgeon experience, type of fracture, and the possibility of damage to the physeal area dictate individual fracture management patterns. Notably, nail devices have not gained popularity in this patient group. Intramedullary locking nails have become the standard of care in adult patients due to decreased morbidity and mortality. A novel nail has been developed for humeral shaft fractures that uses a lateral starting position to avoid damage to the rotator cuff in humeral fracture fixation. This is possible because of the nail's transient flexibility during insertion. This study illustrates that it is feasible to insert this type of nail through multiple entry portals for both tibial and femoral fracture fixation, without damaging the physeal blood supply or growth areas.
There are several options for the treatment of long bone fractures in skeletally immature patients. Surgeon experience, type of fracture, and the possibility of damage to the physeal area dictate individual fracture management patterns. Notably, nail devices have not gained popularity in this patient group. Intramedullary locking nails have become the standard of care in adult patients due to decreased morbidity and mortality. A novel nail has been developed for humeral shaft fractures that uses a lateral starting position to avoid damage to the rotator cuff in humeral fracture fixation. This is possible because of the nail's transient flexibility during insertion. This study illustrates that it is feasible to insert this type of nail through multiple entry portals for both tibial and femoral fracture fixation, without damaging the physeal blood supply or growth areas.
At the Poznań Rheumatology Center in Srema synovectomy of the knee joint is one of the treatment methods applied in cases where "rheumatoid granules" occur in the knee, or in recurrent exudative infections. One of the essential elements of therapy is to begin post-operative rehabilitation with active exercises as soon as 48 hours after surgery. This method is used to eliminate adhesions in the operating field and achieve a full range of movement in the joint without the need to apply painful and injurious redressing of the joint. The procedure used with the patient after surgery and the choice of kinesitherapeutic methods is the result of many years of experience. Post-operative procedures are concluded within 2-3 weeks when the range of movement achieved in the joint is greater than or equal to pre-operative.
