Intercondylar Fibrotic Lesion After Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing of a Femoral Shaft Fracture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Retrograde intramedullary nailing is a largely successful technique for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures, although reports of knee pain after this procedure are not uncommon. Here we describe the case of a patient who developed a polyp-like fibrotic lesion of the intercondylar notch nearly 2 years after retrograde intramedullary nailing of a femoral shaft fracture as discovered by arthroscopic evaluation. This lesion caused pain and compromised our patient's function; however, both of these measures were subjectively improved after the debridement of the lesion. This case emphasizes the necessity of long-term follow-up and further investigation into the cause and significance of postoperative knee pain in hopes of continuing to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords

retrograde intramedullary nailing - arthroscopy - femur - fracture - knee

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