Prospective study on functional outcome of fracture shaft of femur (Winquest Hansen type 1, 2 and 3) treated with intramedullary interlocking nail

Abstract

The management of femoral shaft fractures using intramedullary nailing is a popular method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome after antegrade intramedullary nailing of traumatic femoral shaft fractures. In a prospective study, patients with a femoral shaft fracture but no other injuries to the lower limbs or pelvis were included. A total of 40 patients met the inclusion criteria. All were operated by standard procedure of antegrade intramedullary interlocking nailing. Patients were reviewed at 1,3,6,12 months and we used KLAUSS & KLEMN CRITERIA and McNAIRS LOWER LIMB QUESTIONNARE for quantification of functional outcome. Mean age of such fractures was 24 years(+/- 5 years) majority being male and main mechanism of injury being RTA. There were 2 cases of fat embolism and 2 cases of superficial infection which healed by conservation method. Average time of radiological union was 12-24 weeks. There were no case of non-union but 1 case of delayed union for which dynamization was done.Final functional outcome came out to be good to excellent in all the patients.