Effects Of Three Kinds Of Fixations In Treatment Of Nonunion And Pseudarthrosis Of Femoral Shaft Fracture: A Clinical Comparison

Objective To compare the clinical effects of intramedullary interlocking nail (IIN) dynamic compressive plate (DCP) and Unilateral Multifunction External Fixation Apparatus(ADF) in treatment of Nonunion and pseudarthrosis of femoral fractureMethods We retrospective reviewed the clinical and radiological records of 60 patients with Nonunion and pseudarthrosis of femoral fracture for three kinds of different treatment with distraction treatment fracture for three kinds of different treatment with intramedullary interlocking nail (IIN group,21 cases)or dynamic compressive plate(DCP Group,20 cases)or Unilateral Multifunction External Fixation Apparatus (ADF group,19 cases) from January 1999 to January 2006.The epoch of the formation of Nonunions were form 5 to 21 months with an average of 10.6 months . All these patients were followed-up for 8 to 15 months with an average of 11.2months. To compare and analysis the curative effects on Nonunion and pseudarthrosis of femoral fracture for three kinds of different treatment from the condition in operation , the healing time of the nonunion,the rate of one more time nonunion, the functional evaluation of knee joint (the rate of excellent and good results).Results The operative duration and hospitalization expenditure for IIN group were no more than that for DCP and ADF groups(p>0.05). The fracture healing time for IIN group was sifnificantly shorter than that for DCP and ADF groups (p<0.05),The functional results in IIN group were superior to those in DCP and ADF groups.Conclusions The internal fixation by intramedullary interlocking nail isan effective method for treating the Nonunion and pseudarthrosis of femoral shaft, and better than that by DCP and ADF. The unique mechanical characteristic and geometric frame of IIN exert less interruption with the growth of cortical bone and facilitate frature healing.