Ipsilateral Foot Drop After Leg Traction on Fracture Table for Mid-Shaft Femur Fracture Nailing: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Femoral shaft fracture, one of the most common orthopaedic injuries, is usually treated with intramedullary nailing. During the operative procedure patients are placed on a traction table. Traction tables facilitate the procedure but are associated with some risk. Here we are sharing a case of a 35-year-old male healthy young patient who sustained a foot drop post nailing of femoral shaft fracture on a traction table. This patient has had some recovery in six weeks but is still not fully recovered. We think traction tables are a very helpful tool but carry some risks that should be kept on mind for every surgeon, and for the patients too.

Ipsilateral Foot Drop and Erectile Dysfunction After the Use of a Traction Table in Intramedullary Femur Fixation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…It could be due to the entrapment of the nerve as a result of the fracture, or due to hematoma formation post-operatively [ 10 , 11 ]. However, Alzahrani et al reported ipsilateral foot drop post femur IMN related to the traction table similar to our case which made us consider mispositioning of the fracture table as a reasonable cause [ 12 ]. Finally, these complications can be addressed by decreasing procedure time, enhancing the position of the patient, and providing sufficient padding of the perineal post.…”