[Correction of a post-traumatic femoral length difference using an intramedullary distraction nail].
OBJECTIVE
For the operative adjustment of a leg length shortening and for correcting an angular deformity, an external fixator is the most frequently used technique today. This method may, however, be complicated by painful soft tissue and muscle fixations, pin infections and psychic strain as well as by long treatment duration with the external fixator. The intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor (ISKD) is an internal lengthening nail, which promises a postoperative course without further complications.


METHODS
We used the ISKD nail in a 28-year-old traumatised motorcyclist, in whom, after removal of a comminuted femur bone fragment, a leg length shortening of 8 cm resulted.


RESULTS
After uneventful healing of all fractures and having performed implant removal, we implanted an ISKD nail for femoral lengthening. The following distraction resulted, without considerable complications, in a complete compensation of the leg difference.


CONCLUSIONS
The ISKD nail is a suitable procedure to compensate for post-traumatic leg length differences, which exhibits, in contrast to the frequently used external fixator, a largely uncomplicated course. It cannot be used to correct a gross transverse or rotational deformity.
Bramlage
R J
RJ
Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, Bonn.
Lahaye
L
L
Burger
C
C
Mueller
M
M
Wirtz
D C
DC
Weber
O
O
D001858:Bone Nails; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult