Treatment of Middle-up Part Long-segment Femoral Fracture with Long Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of treating middle-up part long-segment fractures of the femur by long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA-long). Methods: From June 2006 to December 2013, 139 cases (35 women, 104 men; mean age 48.8, range, 18-86 years) of long-segment femoral fracture in middle-up part were treated with long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA, 320-380mm) by minimally invasive percutaneous fixation and autogenous iliac bone graft. Fifty-eight cases were graded as type IA long-segment femoral fractures (41.73%), 25 type IB (17.99%), four type IC (2.88%), 28 type II (20.14%), 12 type IIIA (8.63%), five type IIIB (3.60%), and seven type IV (5.04%). Clinical efficacy was evaluated with Harris hip function scores and postoperative pain with visual analogue scale. Results: The operative time was 35-90min (mean, 45min) and mean intraoperative blood loss 78.6mL (range 30-200mL). Most patients were walking with assistance 4-10 days postoperatively. All patients were followed up for 3-37 months (mean, 19 months). There were no serious complications. All fractures healed after 2.8-6.8 months (mean, 3.9 months). According to Harris criteria, the clinical results were excellent in 108 patients, good in 22, fair in eight and poor in one. Ninety-three cases had no pain, 33 mild pain, 13 moderate pain and 25 occasionally needed non-steroidal analgesics. Conclusion: Closed reduction or limited open reduction with PFNA-long is an effective treatment for long-segment femoral fracture in middle-up part, with good strength in fixation, high rate of fracture union, early functional recovery and low rate of complications.