Clinical and Radiological Results of Patients Treated with Talon Distalfix Femoral Intramedullary Nail for Femoral Shaft Fractures

Abstract

Objective: Talon distalfix intramedullary nails have been developed as a solution to the technical difficulties experienced during the placement of locking screws. We aimed to evaluate the radiological and clinical results of retractable talon distal fix for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures. Material and Method: Between January 2017 and January 2022, 28 patients with femoral shaft AO type 32-A and B fractures were treated with Talon distalfix nails. AO Type 32-A and B fractures were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, follow-up times, ASA of Anesthesiologists classification and fracture type were recorded. The duration of the operation, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy time (in min), and time to bone union were recorded. General and technical complications (nonunion, malunion, malrotation, and shortening) were evaluated. Clinical functional outcomes were evaluated using the Knee Injury and the Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Shortform (KOOS-PS), Hip Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Shortform (HOOS-PS) and Thoresen criteria. Results: A total of 28 patients (11 female and 17 male) were included in the study. The mean age was 46.8 years and the mean follow-up was 23.7 months. . The mean time to bone union was 22.6 weeks. No nonunion was observed in any of the patients. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days and the mean Body Mass Index was 24.2. The mean operation time was 40.3±3.4 minutes and the mean scope time was 26.9 seconds. The mean KOOS-PS score and HOOS-PS were 83.4 and 85.6, respectively. Conclusion: Talon distalfix nails can be safely used in AO type A-B fractures of the midshaft femur. Talon distalfix nail application provides advantages including shorter operation times, less radiation exposure, fewer surgical incisions, and less blood loss. In addition, it should be emphasized that the union time is prolonged compared with that of conventional nails.