Study on Management of Comminuted Fractures of the Shaft of Femur by Interlocking Nailing at a Tertiary Level Hospital in India

Background: One of the most common fractures seen in orthopaedic practise is a femoral shaft fracture. The fracture shaft of the femur is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who have been subjected to high energy trauma. The epidemiology of patients presenting with femur fractures at a tertiary level hospital in Navi Mumbai is examined in this study.

Objectives: To study the time taken for union of comminuted fractures of femur. 2) To assess the hospital stay (duration), 3) To study the associated complications. 4) Time to ambulation.

Methods: From January 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015, this prospective study was conducted at a tertiary level hospital in Navi Mumbai. The study included all patients aged 18 or up who had a comminuted femur fracture and were treated with interlocking nailing. During the course of treatment, various clinical and radiological parameters were obtained.

Results: The study included 50 patients; 84% males. 88% aged 50 years or less. The most common mode of injury was a car accident, and 54 percent of patients had a fracture in the middle one-third of their femur. Clinical union of the fracture was seen in 52 percent of patients after 12 to 14 weeks, while radiological union was shown in the majority of patients after 16 to 18 weeks. In 10 weeks, 36% of patients began partial weight bearing, and 42% began full weight bearing in 16 weeks. The majority of patients were hospitalised for 10 to 14 days, and the functional outcome, as measured by Klemm and Borner criteria, was excellent in 66% of patients. Only six patients experienced complications. Conclusions: Interlocking nailing provided a low complication rate and excellent functional outcome in two-thirds of comminuted femur fracture patients in our experience.