A Single Proximal Interlocking Bolt May Be Sufficient for Retrograde Nailing of Extra-articular Femur Fractures.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether a single proximal interlocking bolt was sufficient during the treatment of extra-articular femur fractures with retrograde medullary nailing.

DESIGN

Retrospective comparative study.

SETTING

Academic Level 1 trauma center.

PATIENTS: The study included 136 patients with extra-articular femur fractures treated with retrograde medullary nailing who met inclusion and follow-up criteria.

INTERVENTION: The intervention included surgical treatment for a femur fracture with retrograde medullary nailing, with comparisons made between those treated with a single proximal interlocking (1 IL) bolt and those treated with 2 proximal interlocking bolts (2 IL).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: The main outcome measurements were as follows: (1) rate of nonunion and (2) rate of catastrophic implant failure.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the rate of nonunion requiring surgical intervention between the 2 groups. There were no catastrophic failures in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

A single proximal interlocking bolt may be sufficient when using retrograde nailing for the treatment of extra-articular femur fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.