SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1989
STP10374S

Distal Locking for Unstable Femoral Fractures: Is It Necessary? A Preliminary Report

Source

This is a preliminary report of a randomized-surgeon trial. This trial was carried out to determine if nail impaction into the distal femoral metaphysis (IMP) was as effective as distal locking (LOC) in preventing shortening and malalignments in unstable femoral fractures. Fourteen fractures were treated with IMP and 30 with LOC. The two groups had similar demographic, injury, and treatment characteristics and did not significantly differ in healing times, shortening, and rotational or angulatory deformities. There was a slight increase in complications in the LOC group. We concluded that distal nail impaction is an attractive alternative to distal locking with screws or deployable wings. It appears to be safer and has a lower complication rate.

Author Information

Behrens, F
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
Johnson, J
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
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Details
Developed by Committee: F04
Pages: 130–136
DOI: 10.1520/STP10374S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5073-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1181-3