title: Lengthening of the femur over an existing intramedullary nail.
abstract: Leg length discrepancies can occur despite successful union of femur fractures after intramedullary nailing (IMN). Often, the leg length discrepancy can result in significant disability to the patient, altered gait biomechanics, pelvic obliquity, and pain. Therefore, a successful clinical result for such deformities after IMN involves addressing the leg length inequality. Femoral reconstruction with an osteotomy around an existing intramedullary nail was introduced to address axial deformity correction and limb lengthening without changing or removing a previously inserted IMN. This technique uses the principles of lengthening over an IMN. The presence of the nail has minimized the time needed for the external fixator because the nail supports the regenerate bone or osteotomy during the consolidation phase. With this technique, surgery is minimized by avoiding the need for exchange nailing.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA. hanjokimmd@gmail.com
authors.forename: Han Jo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Austin T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Fragomen
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reinhardt
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hutson
authors.forename: S Robert
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rozbruch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures