Long-term functional implications of the iatrogenic rotational malalignment of healed diaphyseal femur fractures following intramedullary nailing.
BACKGROUND
The long-term functional implications for patients with iatrogenic femoral malrotation following femoral intramedullary nail fixation remain unclear. This study examined the extent and direction of rotational alignment of the femur treated with intramedullary nail fixation and its long-term functional effects on patients' standing, walking, and subjective outcome.


METHODS
Rotational alignment was measured using a CT-based protocol. Foot alignment while standing or walking was determined bilaterally using a pressure mat. Subjective functional outcome was assessed using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients (5F, 11 M; age: mean 44.3 years, range 24-75 years) with a healed femur fracture were included. Femur alignment demonstrated internal rotation in five patients (mean 6°; range 2-13°), and external rotation in 11 (mean 18°; range 3-32°). Static foot rotation demonstrated neutral rotation in two patients, internal rotation in four (mean 13°; range 5-22°), and external rotation in 10 (mean 15°; range 5-24°). Dynamic foot rotation demonstrated neutral rotation in two patients, internal rotation in two (mean 11°; range 4-26°), and external rotation in 12 (mean 11°; range 3-22°). There was a trend for increasing dynamic malrotation with femoral rotation (r(2)=0.27; p=0.055). In half the patients, dynamic foot rotation correlated with the extent of femoral malrotation. There was no association (p=0.6) between overall patient satisfaction (10 fully satisfied; 5 partially satisfied; and 1 dissatisfied) and foot alignment.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients can compensate for even significant femoral malrotation and tolerate it well. External femoral malrotation appears to be better compensated/tolerated than internal malrotation.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States. zgugala@utmb.edu
Zbigniew
Z
Gugala
Yaqdan T
YT
Qaisi
John A
JA
Hipp
Ronald W
RW
Lindsey
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012399:Rotation; D016896:Treatment Outcome