Comparative Study of Interlocking Nailing and Kuntscher Nailing with Adjuvant Plating for the Treatment of Femur Shaft Fractures

Abstract

Aim: To compare the results of this study with an alternate method of Kuntscher nailing with adjunctive plating for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in terms of operative parameters, limb mobilization, radiation exposure and fracture union. Materials & Method: This study included 25 patients in each group, 18-60 years of age having diaphyseal fractures of the femur treated with Intramedullary Interlocking Nailing. The results were compared with an equal number of cases of femur shaft fractures treated with K-nail and adjunctive plating, retrospective or concurrent. Results: There were no statistically significant difference (p=0.166, p=0.260 respectively) between the two groups with regard to Range of Motion(ROM) & callus formation at 12 weeks follow up and on comparing the two treatment groups according to Thoresan criteria, excellent results were achieved in 19 cases of Interlocking Nailing group and 20 cases of K nail with plate group. The P value was statistically non significant (p=0.919). Conclusion: This Study conclude that both Interlocking nailing and Kuntscher Nailing with Adjuvant plating are good methods for the fixation of femur shaft fractures with comparable results. Hence, treatment plan of each femur shaft fracture must be individualised according to the level of fracture, fracture pattern, infrastructure available, surgical skills and availability of trained manpower to choose between these two methods.

Keywords

• Bony callus
• femoral fracture
• intramedullary nailing.