BONE HEALING PATTERNS OF INTERLOCKED INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL-FIXATED FEMORAL SHAFT FRACTURES: AGE-MATCHED RADIOGRAPHIC PRESENTATION OF UNION PATTERN

Abstract

Design: Study on the union pattern of femoral shaft fractures after interlocked intramedullary fixation. Objective: To assess the fracture healing pattern — the so-called callus types — and its formation speed, and age influence. Setting: Orthopedic and traumatic services. Material and methods: Among all the healed femoral shaft fractures, 10 patients at least in each decade from late teens to eighth decade who were regularly followed radiographically with a certain interval upto complete fracture union were chosen. Results: All the fractures healed primarily with external periosteal callus which was followed sometimes later by intercortical uniting callus with disappearance of fracture line. Conclusion: All the nailed femoral shaft fractures healed primarily by periosteal bridging callus irrespective of age, fracture type, and use of interlocking screws, though some less external callus formation after sixth decade was observed.