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Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care 2004; 12(3): 130-134
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-822800
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Use of an Expandable Nail in the Treatment of Non-Union Fractures of the Femur, Tibia and Humerus

M. Daccarett1 , B. M. Walz1 , D. Seligson1
  • 1Orthopaedics Trauma Fellow, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
06 September 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Non-union after diaphyseal fractures is an important and relevant clinical problem. Despite the availability of improved surgical techniques, antibiotics, and complex soft tissue coverage procedures, non-union occurs in many patients after diaphyseal fractures [10] [20] [23] [36]. Twenty-four patients with the diagnosis of pseudarthrosis of femur, tibia, or humerus were operated on at the University of Louisville Hospital using an expandable intramedullary nail. The patients were followed until clinical and radiological union was achieved. Twenty-three of the twenty-four patients obtained satisfactory results with this method of fixation. This preliminary study demonstrates that an expandable intramedullary nail can be used successfully in the treatment of selected long bone pseudarthrosis.

Key words

Non-union - delayed union - pseudarthrosis - fixion nail - expandable nail

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Miguel Daccarett MD 

Orthopaedics Trauma Fellow · University of Louisville

Louisville, KY 40202

USA

Email: msdaccarett@hotmail.com

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