Internal fixation using a cephalomedullary nail as treatment for proximal femur fracture has recently been popular for early ambulation and rehabilitation. However metal breakage at the lag screw insertion site was reported due to non-union, delayed-union, and early weight bearing. In our orthopedic department, we experienced 2 cases of nail breakage at the lag screw insertion site, therefore we report on evaluation of the cause of metal failure and prevention of complications with literature review.
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Breakage of the Tail Portion of the Lag Screw during Removal of Proximal Femoral Zimmer Natural Nail: Report of Two Cases with Technical Notes Asep Santoso, Ik-Sun Choi, Kyung-Soon Park, Taek-Rim Yoon Hip & Pelvis.2017; 29(3): 199. CrossRef
Fractures of the femoral shaft with marked bowing face some obstacles in fixation of the fracture such as difficulty in insertion of the intramedullary nail (IM nail) or exact contouring plate. Locking compression plates (LCP) are an option to manage this problem. However, we experienced consecutive breakage of LCP twice and IM nail once in an 80-year-old female. Finally, union of the fracture was achieved after fixation of the IM nail and additional plate together. Fractures of the femur shaft with marked bowing are thought to have different biomechanical properties; therefore, we present this case with a review of the literature.
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Comparative analysis of operation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy time in intramedullary and extramedullary fixation of trochanteric fractures Milan Mitkovic, Sasa Milenkovic, Ivan Micic, Predrag Stojiljkovic, Igor Kostic, Milorad Mitkovic Vojnosanitetski pregled.2022; 79(2): 177. CrossRef
Pre-operative planning for fracture fixation using locking plates: device configuration and other considerations Alisdair R. MacLeod, Pankaj Pankaj Injury.2018; 49: S12. CrossRef
Letter: Repeated Metal Breakage in a Femoral Shaft Fracture with Lateral Bowing - A Case Report - Hae Seok Koh Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2012; 25(3): 240. CrossRef
PURPOSE The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and the causes of screw breakage in tibia nailing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1995 and 2000, eighty-two tibial diaphyseal fractures were treated with interlocking nails. The loss of follow-up was 7 cases. We retrospectively reviewed seventy-five cases. We investigated the rate and location of metal failure and evaluated the fracture pattern, the presence of distraction after nailing and union abnormality. RESULTS Screw breakage was identified in seven cases (9.3%) and most frequently occurred on the second proximal locking screw. Screw breakage occurred in AO type B or C type fractures, fracture site distraction after nailing, open fracture, delayed union and nonunion. CONCLUSION The main cause of screw breakage is unstable bone to bone contact on the fracture site caused by comminution or distraction. The open fracture, delayed union, and nonunion also contributing factors for screw breakage. For preventing screw breakage, it is necessary to avoid fracture site distraction and delay full weight bearing in cases having unstable fracture site contact.
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Clinical Outcomes of the Tibia Segmental Fractures Treated by Intramedullary Nail Using Various Reduction Techniques Oog-Jin Shon, Ji-Hoon Shin, Chul-Wung Ha Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2013; 26(1): 50. CrossRef
PURPOSE We analyze the clinical causes and precautions of nail breakage followed by femoral intramedullary nailing MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 12 cases of nail breakage followed by the femoral intramedullary nailing from Jan. 1993 to Feb. 2001 and for each cases, we analyzed used nail diameter, patient weight and used nail, time to nail breakage and configuration of non-union. We classified fracture site at the time of trauma as proximal 1/3, middle 1/3, distal 1/3, and evaluated gap of fracture site, displacement of fragment after surgery, location and treatment of broken nail on each part, and analyzed the causes of nail breakage RESULTS: The average time of nail breakage was 8.1 months and distal 1/3 fracture were major as 6 cases. Those were mainly comminuted fracture of Winquist-Hansen type II. After surgery, gap of fracture site and displacement of fragment were mostly observed in middle 1/3 fracture and, in the part of middle 1/3, the site of nail breakage took place in fracture site. Especially in the distal 1/3 fracture, nail breakage happened usually in distal first locking screw hole. The causes of nail breakage were inadequately small diameter of nail inserted into the isthmic portion of medullary canal in proximal fracture, inaccurate reduction of fracture site in middle fracture, and the use of short length of nail and its mechanical damage caused by inaccurate insertion of distal locking screw in distal fracture. CONCLUSION To prevent nail breakage while femoral intramedullary nailing, in proximal fracture, adequate diameter of nail has to be inserted into the isthmic portion of medullary canal. In middle fracture, the accurate reduction of fracture site will be necessary, and the case of distal fracture, enough length of nail has to be used and especially it is important not to cause mechanical injury with the accurate insertion of distal locking screw in nail
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Comparison of our self-designed rotary self-locking intramedullary nail and interlocking intramedullary nail in the treatment of long bone fractures Bailian Liu, Ying Xiong, Hong Deng, Shao Gu, Fu Jia, Qunhui Li, Daxing Wang, Xuewen Gan, Wei Liu Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
Limited Open Reduction and Intramedullary Nailing of Proximal Femoral Shaft Fracture Sang Ho Ha, Jun Young Lee, Sang Hong Lee, Sung Hwan Jo, Jae Cheul Yu Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2009; 22(4): 225. CrossRef
Metal failure (nail breakage) after locked intramedullary nailing results from delayed union or nonunion, which necessitates removal of nail and interlocking screws. Breakage of interlocking screw(s) can be associated with failure of the intramedullary nail. It usually breaks into two parts. Proximal part, which contains the screw head, can be removed by screwdriver without difficulties. Distal part can be removed from the far cortex or be left in place if it does not hinder further procedures. We experienced a case of segmental breakage of distal interlocking screw, which was associated with failure of the femoral nail and nonunion. Middle part of the broken screw obstructed the hollow of the nail and complicated the removal of the broken nail.
PURPOSE We analysed risk factors for failure of interlocking screws after femoral intramedullary nailing, and introduce tips for removing broken screw. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-two closed femoral shaft fractures were treated with interlocking nail. We compared 7 patients in whom interlocking screw breakage occurred (Group I) with 65 patients without breakage of interlocking screw (Group II). Analytic parameters were age, weight, level of fracture, degree of comminution, nail diameter. We used Mann-Whitney U test & Chi-sqare test for statistical analysis. RESULT Upper one of distal interlocking screws was broken in 6 patients, both of distal screws were broken in one patient. All of the patients with broken screws had associated delayed union. The mean age of patients were 20 years in group I, 31 years in group II. The mean weight were 69.6 Kg in group I, 62.02kg in group II. Three patients had fractures in proximal half and four patients had fractures in distal half in group I. In group II, there were 25 proximal fractures and 40 distal fractures. There were 2 type I, 2 type II, 1 type III, 2 type IV fractures in group I, and 16 type I, 31 type II, 17 type III, 1 type IV fractures according to Winquist and Hansen classification. Nail diameters were 10mm in 4 patients, 11mm in 2 patients, 12mm in 1 patient for group I and 10mm in 8 patients, 11mm in 13 patients, 12mm in 25 patients, 13mm in 13 patients, and 14mm in 6 patients for group II. Age, weight, degree of comminution, nail diameter had statistically significant relation to the breakage of interlocking screw(p<0.05), but the level of fracture didn't(p>0.05). Broken screws were easily removed by advancing screw to medial compartment with S-pin and making short medial incision. CONCLUSION It is suggested from our study that combination of parameters may have contributed to the failure of interlocking screw ; narrower diameter nail for comminuted fracture in young, active patients with more body weight. Inserting two screws have advantage over one screw.