Assessment and correction of femoral malrotation following intramedullary nailing of the femur


Published online: Oct 27 2010

Matthew E. Kent, Arvind Arora, P. Julian Owen , Vikas Khanduja

From Addenbrooke's Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Abstract

Rotational deformity is a more common problem than one might expect in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures. This review presents two cases of femoral malrotation following intramedullary nailing of the femur. The presentation, importance of early recognition, investigation with a CT scan, and the technique of correction is discussed in detail. The importance of intra-operative assessment to avoid this complication is highlighted and a review of the current literature on this problem and its treatment is presented.