Bone Lengthening with a Motorized Intramedullary Nail in 34 Patients with Posttraumatic Limb Length Discrepancies

Abstract

The Fitbone® motorized nail system has been used to correct limb length discrepancies (LLD) for several years. This study focuses on its application in posttraumatic limb lengthening surgery, its outcome and challenges. Materials and methods: A prospective, single center study was conducted between 2010 and 2019 in patients treated with motorized lengthening nails. The inclusion criteria were symptomatic LLD of 20 mm or more. An imaging analysis was done using TraumaCad® software (Brainlab AG, Munich, Germany) to compare frontal alignment angles and limb length discrepancy (LLD) on preoperative and latest follow-up radiographs of the lower limbs. Results: Thirty-four patients were included with a mean age of 28.8 ± 9.7 years, a mean follow-up of 27.8 ± 13 months and a mean hospital stay of 4.4 ± 1.7 days. The mean LLD was 44 ± 18 mm in 29 femoral and 32 ± 8 mm in 4 tibial cases, which was reduced to less than 10 mm in 25/34 (74%) patients. The mean healing index was 84.6 ± 62.5 days/cm for femurs and 92 ± 38.6 days/cm for tibias. The mean time to resume full weight-bearing without walking aids was 226 days ± 133. There was no significant difference between preoperative and final follow-up alignment angles and range of motion. The mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) was corrected in the subgroup of 10 LLD patients with varus deformity of the femur (preoperative 95.7° (±5.0) vs. postoperative 91.5° (±3.4), p = 0.008). According to Paley’s classification, there were 14 problems, 10 obstacles and 2 complications. Discussion: Six instances of locking screw pull out, often requiring reoperation, raise the question of whether a more systematic use of blocking screws that provide greater stability might be indicated. Lack of compliance can lead to poor outcomes, patient selection in posttraumatic LLD patients is therefore important. Conclusion: Limb lengthening with a motorized lengthening nail for posttraumatic LLD is a relatively safe and reliable procedure. Full patient compliance is crucial. In-depth knowledge of lengthening and deformity correction techniques is essential to prevent and manage complications.

Correction of post-traumatic lower-limb discrepancy with Precice intramedullary lengthening nails: a review of 34 adults with an average follow-up of 2 years

“…Retrospectively, we would refrain from using a lengthening nail in those cases and recommend a hexapod frame. This emphasizes the importance of patient selection, as previously indicated by Teulières et al ( 12 ).…”

Bifocal femoral lengthening assisted by preoperative 3-dimensional design in the restoration of posttraumatic limb length discrepancy

“…However, many studies have concluded that external fixators are undesirable due to their lengthy application time, which can effortlessly lead to complications such as pin site infection and knee stiffness. Other procedures and equipment, such as limb lengthening with high distraction rates, bifocal limb lengthening, intramedullary nails without the need for external fixation, and motorized internal lengthening nails, have been developed to decrease the external fixation duration [ 1 , 3 – 5 , 9 , 16 ]. However, restoration of posttraumatic limb length discrepancy is not only conducted in major hospitals, and many primary hospitals do not adopt the abovementioned new equipment due to the high costs.…”

“…In a recent study, Teulières et al applied motorized intramedullary nails to treat 34 patients with posttraumatic limb length discrepancies. The mean lengthening was 37.5 ± 19 mm for the femur, and the mean healing index was 84.6 ± 62.5 days/cm [ 3 ]. They thought bone lengthening with a motorized intramedullary nail device for posttraumatic LLD was considered a safe and effective therapeutic technique.…”

German Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Limb Deformity-Scoliosis Research Society (LD-SRS) Questionnaire

“…LD are often associated with functional impairment of the affected extremity [ 1 ]. LD can arise from a variety of medical conditions (congenital or acquired due to trauma, tumor, infection as well as iatrogenic and idiopathic origin) [ 2 , 3 ]. Limb reconstruction is the art of treating LD and improving the functionality of the limb no matter the available resources [ 4 ].…”