Use of a magnetic bone nail for lengthening of the femur and tibia.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with the PRECICE nail for limb lengthening in 23 patients.

METHODS

Records of 15 female and 8 male patients aged 14 to 38 (mean, 23.6) years who underwent lengthening of the tibia (n=6) or femur (n=21) using the PRECICE nail were reviewed. The reasons for lengthening included trauma (n=7), hemihypertrophy (n=2), focal femoral deficiency (n=2), Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (n=1), hip septic arthritis sequelae (n=1), hereditary multiple exostosis (n=1), club foot sequela (n=1), congenital tibial pseudoarthrosis (n=1), fibrous dysplasia (n=1), idiopathic limb length discrepancy (n=7), and cosmetic (n=1).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration was 20.72 months. The mean lengthening was 48.20 mm, and the mean acute angular correction was 15.5º. The mean time to full weight-bearing was 5.15 months, and the mean consolidation index was 1.12 months/cm. The mean maturation index was 0.78 months/cm. One patient had nail breakage during the consolidation phase. The nail was replaced by an intramedullary nail until consolidation, after which another PRECICE nail was used to treat the residual shortening. Eight patients had over-lengthening and the nails were driven back to the desired length. No patient had infection.

CONCLUSION

The PRECICE nail is a viable option for lengthening of the femur and tibia.