Publication:

Functional outcome of elastic stable intramedullary nailing of diaphyseal fractures of paediatric long bones

Background After the advent of titanium elastic nails (TENs) and gratifying results of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) in diaphyseal fractures of paediatric long bones, not only the parents of patients are opting surgical treatment over conservative, but also more and more orthopaedicians are offering ESIN with TENs to obviate the inherent problems of conservative treatment. We took up this study to evaluate the functional outcome of ESIN with TENs.

Methods 44 patients aged 5-15 years suffering from diaphyseal fractures of femur, tibia, humerus, and forearm bones were treated by ESIN with TENs.

Results All 44 patients showed uneventful union, femur in an average period of 8.3 weeks, tibia in 7.3 weeks, forearm bones within 7 weeks and humerus in 7.5 weeks. Commonest complication was pain at insertion site. 1 femur patient had lengthening of 1.5 cm. 1 femur and 1 forearm patient showed joint stiffness. No patient had delayed/non-union, sagittal/coronal/rotational mal-union, and deep infection. Partial weight bearing (PWB) started from 2nd/3rd day attaining full weight bearing (FWB) in 6-10 weeks.

Conclusions ESIN with TENs appears logical and safe to obviate the inherent problems of conservative treatment, as ESIN is least invasive and allows early PWB/FWB leading to early independence of personal hygiene/toilet use with early social integration/return to school.