Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Feb 2017
ReviewRisk factors for intramedullary nail breakage in proximal femoral fractures: a 10-year retrospective review.
INTRODUCTION Intramedullary nailing is a common treatment for proximal femoral fractures. Fracture of the nail is a rare but devastating complication that exposes often frail patients to complex revision surgery. We investigated which risk factors predict nail failure. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS Young patients with a low ASA score are at highest risk of nail breakage. We advise close follow-up of patients with these risk factors until bony union has been achieved. In addition, there may be merit in considering other treatment options, such as proximal femoral replacement, especially for those with pathological fracture with a good prognosis.