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Evaluation of supracondylar intramedullary nail in distal femoral fractures

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Abstract

Background

The management of distal femoral fractures challenges orthopedic surgeons. The relatively high rates of complications with internal fixation resulted in the development of different implants. In 1987, the cannulated stainless steel Green/Seligson/Henry (GSH) supracondylar nail had been developed.

Materials and methods

Over a period of 2.5 years, 30 femoral fractures in 29 patients were treated by the GSH supracondylar nail. There were 16 males (55.2%) and 13 females (44.8%) with a mean age 48.5 years (range, 20–75 years). The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification system was used in 29 fractures. One case was a periprosthetic fracture above total knee replacement classified as type III according to Edward et al. (J Am Acad Orthop Surg 12: 12–20, 2004). The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 30 months (average, 21 months). The final results were rated according to the functional score of Neer et al. (J Bone Joint Surg 49(A): 591–613, 1967) which include both functional and anatomical assessments.

Results

According to Neer et al. scoring system, 9 fractures (30%) were rated excellent, 15 (50%) were satisfactory, 5 (16.7%) were unsatisfactory, and there was 1 failure (3.3%). Twenty-nine fractures (96.7%) united at an average time of 14 weeks, while only one fracture (3.3%) passed to nonunion. Complications were infrequent (malalignment in two cases (6.6%), two cases (6.6%) with superficial infection, and three cases (9.9%) with postoperative knee stiffness).

Conclusion

The supracondylar nail is an effective method for the treatment of most of the distal femoral fractures. It provides rigid fixation through a limited incision and achieves a high rate of fracture union.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt

    Abd El-Bary H. Gouda & Mohamed G. EL Ashhab

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  1. Abd El-Bary H. Gouda
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  2. Mohamed G. EL Ashhab
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Correspondence to Abd El-Bary H. Gouda.

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Gouda, A.EB.H., EL Ashhab, M.G. Evaluation of supracondylar intramedullary nail in distal femoral fractures. Eur Orthop Traumatol 2, 137–146 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-011-0081-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-011-0081-7

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