Outcome of Paediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures Treated with Titanium Elastic Nailing- A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Conservative management has always been used for paediatric fractures. However surgical management has shown outstanding results. Closed reduction and titanium elastic nailing is one of the procedures that is used for management of paediatric injuries. We undertook this study to see the outcome paediactric fractures treated with Titanium Elastic Nailing. Methods: A prospective study conducted at Krishna institute of medical sciences, Karad. 30 children with femoral fracture managed with TENS were included in this study. Patients were followed up till 12 months post-operatively for limb length discrepancy, pelvic asymmetries, rotational deformity, axial angulation, and hip and knee range of motion (ROM). Scoring criteria for TEN By Flynn et al. [11] was used and results were classified as excellent, satisfactory or poor Results: There were 19 boys and 11 girls in this study. The mean duration of surgery was 50 min. Radiological union was achieved in average time of 7 weeks. Full weight bearing was achieved in a meantime of 7 weeks. As per the Flynn et al. [11] criteria the results were excellent in 24 patients, successful in 5, and poor in 1 patient. One patient had varus angulation, 3 patient had entry site irritation and 2 had limb length discrepancy. Conclusion: The TENS is an efficient and acceptable form of treatment in selected cases of femoral diaphyseal fractures in children.