Bone density and geometry after locked intramedullary nailing: Computed tomography of 8 femoral fractures

Abstract

8 patients with femoral shaft fracture treated with locked intramedullary (IM) nailing were examined by computed tomography (CT) a few days after nail removal. Cortical bone density, cortical thickness and geometrical shape of the fracture region were compared to those of the contralateral side. The cortical density was reduced by 23 percent at the mid-fracture level. However, at the same level the cortical thickness had increased by 47 percent, and the antero-posterior and medio-lateral diameters by 30 and 45 percent, respectively.

We conclude that the fracture region of the femoral shaft had regained its mechanical properties at the time of nail removal.