Functional outcome of femur interlock nailing in shaft femur fractures in adults

Abstract

Introduction: Femoral shaft fractures in adults are almost always the result of high-energy trauma. Both morbidity and mortality can be reduced by prompt reduction and internal fixation of fracture. Nailing can tolerate more torsional and bending forces better than plates. Currently interlocking intramedullary nailing is considered to be best choice of treatment for femoral diaphyseal fractures. In this study, we evaluate the results of femoral shaft fractures managed with an interlocking nail and its outcome of results. Materials and Methods: This is retrospective study includes 40 cases of diaphyseal fractures of femur shaft treated with closed interlocking intramedullary nailing between March 2022 to Feb 2024. Result: Final outcome was excellent in 35 out of 40 patients 87.5%, good in 3 patients 7.5%, fair in 1 patient 2.5% and poor in 1 patient 2.5% which is better outcome as compared to Thorsen et al. series where recovery rate excellent, good, fair, poor are 63.8%, 17. 02%, 14.8%, 4.2% respectively. In our series younger age group patients had a better functional outcome. Conclusion: From this sample study we concluded the femur interlocking nail is a good implant for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures because of its load sharing, closed insertion, rotational stability, restoration of anatomic length alignment and early mobilization.