title: Femur lengthening with monoplanar external fixator associated with locked intramedullary nail.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to demonstrate that the lengthening technique of an external fixator associated with locked intramedullary nail is an efficient method that decreases the duration of the external fixation and improves the rehabilitation period.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January of 2005 to May of 2014, 31 patients with mean lower limb discrepancy of 5.31 cm were treated. The etiologies of the deformity were femur fracture sequelae, infection, hip development dysplasia, polio, and congenital short femur.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration of external fixation was 2.47 months (external fixation index of 16.15 days per cm). The mean time for bone healing was 6.66 months (consolidation index 43 days per cm). Initial mean knee range of motion was -1° to 100°, progressing to 0°-115° at the end of treatment. The complications observed were incomplete osteotomies, hip subluxation, broken fixator, decreased knee range of motion, and need for locking screw removal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Femur lengthening with a monoplanar external fixator associated with locked intramedullary nail allowed for a shorter period of external fixation use, better protection for the regenerated bone tissue, and early rehabilitation with possible complications.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Estadual Mario Covas, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique Paradella Alvachian
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Hospital Estadual Mario Covas, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danilo Gabriel do Nascimento Silva
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Barronovo
authors.affiliation: Hospital Estadual Mario Covas, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabio Lucas
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Hospital Estadual Mario Covas, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hono
keywords: Bone lengthening; External fixators; Fracture fixation; Intramedullary