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Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the radiological and functional results of titanium elastic nail (TEN), which was used as a surgical method in pediatric long bone diaphyseal fractures between 5-15 years of age, by comparing it with the clinical features of the patient and the fracture.Methods: In this study, 44 patients (11 girls, 33 boys) aged 5-15 years (mean 9.86 ±2.84) were included. The clinical features of the patient, family satisfaction, evaluation of the fracture according to Flynn Criteria, time to bone union, stay in the hospital, and school absence was examined.Results: TEN was applied mostly to the femur (n;18), tibia (n;14), and forearm (n;12) diaphysis fractures, respectively. Most of the fractures were seen as a result of high energy and closed middle diaphysis, the transverse fracture pattern was the most. Most of the fracture surgeries were performed with the closed method. The family satisfaction of the patients was at a high level. In the evaluation of fractures according to Flynn Criteria, most of the results were excellent, but no poor results were observed. Bone union time was higher in patients aged ten years and older and undergoing open surgery, and less in transverse fracture shape (p

Background: Distal femur fractures are generally due to high velocity trauma particularly form road traffic accidents and fall from height. The treatment of distal femur fractures has evolved from conservative to operative to fixation of both lateral and medial columns of femur. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of operated cases of comminuted fracture of lower end of femur fixed with locking compression plate laterally and augmented with titanium elastic nail system medially. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective study carried out in Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital, Sangli after approval from institutional ethical committee. In this study, 20 patients with communited fracture of lower end of femur were included on the basis of a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination was done in all cases. After preanesthetic evaluation and relevant investigations patients were treated by reduction (close or open) and fixation was done by locking compression plate laterally and augmented with titanium elastic nail system medially. Patients were followed up at 6, 10 and 14 weeks for functional outcome by Neer’s scoring system and degree of flexion at knee joint. Results: Out of 20 studied cases there were 16 (80%) males and 4 (20%) were females with a M:F ratio of 4:1. The mean age of male patients was found to be 42.81+/-14.79 whereas mean age of female patients was 40.5 +/- 14.36. The mean age of male and female patients was found to be comparable with no statistically significant difference (P=0.78). Most of the patient were diagnosed with the fracture of AO TYPE C3 (7 cases), followed by AO TYPE C1 (4 cases). Full weight bearing was achieved in 8 (40%) patients within 18 weeks whereas remaining 12 (60%) patients required more than 20 weeks for full weight bearing. 14 (70%) patients had excellent outcome whereas, Good, Fair and poor outcomes were seen in 4 (20%), 1 (5%) and 1 (5%) patient. On one-way ANOVA analysis, showed that the flexion was significantly higher in 12 weeks as that of the 6 weeks (P =

Introduction Optimal paediatric femoral shaft fracture patterns or lengths amenable to titanium elastic nail stabilization have not been well defined. The purpose of this study is to identify radiographic parameters predictive of treatment failure with flexible intramedullary nails based upon fracture morphology. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all femoral shaft fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nails over a five-year period. All patients with at least six weeks of postoperative radiographic imaging were included. Fracture characteristics included location, pattern, length, obliquity, angulation, translation and shortening. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed to determine shortening and angulation. Results There were 58 patients with 60 femoral shaft fractures stabilized with titanium nails, with 46 healing within acceptable parameters and 14 considered malunions. Six of the 14 malunions developed complications requiring early unplanned intervention. No patients in the treatment success group had a complication. Between the treatment success and failure groups, fracture pattern, location, length, obliquity, angulation, translation or shortening were not statistically different. Mean nail canal fill was significantly lower in the failure group (0.72 versus 0.81; p = 0.0146), with a receiver operating characteristic curve identifying canal fill 76% as the optimal threshold. Conclusion This is the first study to measure the length and obliquity of paediatric femoral shaft fractures and to determine their relationship to radiographic alignment after healing. None of the preoperative fracture characteristics were predictive of malalignment or shortening. We recommend the use of larger nail sizes in the treatment of paediatric femoral shaft fractures, especially if there is concern for residual instability. Level of evidence IV

Aim. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by bone fragility and long bones deformities. Most studies are dedicated to surgical treatment of diaphyseal fractures. To our knowledge, there are no reports giving recommendations about surgical treatment of distal femur intraarticular fractures. Clinical case. We describe the surgical treatment of a 14-year-old girl with OI who had intraarticular fracture of the left distal femur and fracture of a right femur diaphysis. Surgical treatment was complicated by migration of a titanium elastic nail and impaired consolidation, which had to be fixed with a plate and led to peri-implant fracture. Results were assessed before trauma and at 1 and 2 years after trauma with Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (GFAQ) and Bleck score. Discussion. During surgical treatment of comminuted intraarticular distal femur fractures in patients with OI, we had to use big cancellous screw that made implantation in an intramedullary fixator more difficult. Internal fixation with a plate in patients with OI is associated with high risks of peri-implant fracture. Conclusion. For treatment of comminuted intraarticular fracture of the distal femur, it is necessary to have large variety of internal fixators, follow the principles of absolute and relative stability, and be familiar with minimally-invasive techniques.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes of titanium elastic nail (TEN) for the children in 6 to 10 years old who sustained a Delbet IV femoral neck fracture. A total of 56 children aged 6 to 10 years old with Delbet IV femoral neck fracture treated with TEN or cannulated screw (SC) were identified at our hospital from January 2009 to December 2019. Of which 24 were treated with TEN, and 32 with SC. All of them were followed up for 1 year after operation, and the differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, hip joint function, and complication between the 2 groups were compared. Harris and Ratliff hip score were used to evaluate the hip function. All 56 fractures united properly. No major complications were noted in both groups. The intraoperative blood loss and operation time in TEN group and SC group were (11.42 ± 3.41) mL, (19.66 ± 4.05) mL (P = .000) and (33.58 ± 7.89) min, (40.22 ± 7.48) min (P = .002), respectively. There was no significant statistical difference between hip regarding range of motion and femoral neck-shaft angle in both groups, as well as Harris and Ratliff hip score between the 2 groups. TEN represent safe and effective methods in the treatment of Delbet IV femoral neck fracture in 6 to 10 years old children. TEN internal fixation is a minimal invasive and simpler technique and suitable for young children of Delbet IV femoral neck fracture.

Purpose Traditional teaching for fixation of paediatric femur fractures recommends 80% nail diameter/medullary canal diameter ratio (ND/MCD) for successful maintenance of reduction. Prior studies have investigated this with stainless steel Enders nails. Our aim was to assess the impact of ND/MCD on maintenance of reduction and malunion rates in paediatric femur fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nails (FINs). Methods Retrospective data was collected on all paediatric patients treated with FINs for diaphyseal femur fractures at a single tertiary care institution over a ten-year period. Patients with co-morbidities affecting bone quality were excluded. Patients were subdivided into groups based on ND/MCD. Results A total of 66 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean ND/MCD was 76.3% (32.9% to 98.8%, SD 14.3). In all, 50% (n = 33/66) of patients had > 80% ND/MCD, and only 13.6% (n = 9/66) of patients had less than 60% ND/MCD. When controlling for fracture stability, ND/MCD had no correlation with mean shortening (p = 0.07) There was no correlation between ND/MCD and angulation in the sagittal (p = 0.96) or coronal plane (p = 0.20). Three patients fit malunion criteria. ND/MCD for these patients were 40%, 67% and 79%. Conclusion There was no correlation between ND/MCD and shortening or malangulation. The majority of patients in this series with less than 80% fill with FIN healed within acceptable parameters. Level of Evidence III

Background and objectives: There are various methods in the management of forearm fractures in children. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing using Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) is nowadays employed in diaphysis fractures of children, with clear benefits over other treatment options. However, in the case of TEN versus other treatment methods of forearm fractures in children, cost is an important issue. This report will focus on the cost assessment of using TEN versus other therapeutic means in the treatment of forearm fractures in children. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective longitudinal study of 173 consecutive patients with forearm fractures treated in a single institution during 2017. We calculated the cost for each patient by summing up direct costs plus indirect costs, calculated at an aggregate level. Hospital income data were extracted from the Diagnosis Related Groups database. Results: A total of 173 patients with forearm fractures were treated, 44 using TEN, 86 using K-wire, and 46 using closed reduction and cast. There were 66 radius fractures, 1 ulna fracture, and 106 that were both radius and ulna fractures. Mean treatment cost were $632.76 for TEN, $499.50 for K-wire, and $451.30 for closed reduction and cast. Costs for TEN were higher than for K-wire insertion (p = 0.00) and higher than closed reduction and cast ($182.42, p = 0.00). Reimbursement per patient was higher with TEN versus K-wire patients, $497.88 vs. $364.64 /patient (p = 0.00), and higher than for patients treated with closed reduction and cast (p = 0.00). Conclusions: The treatment of upper extremity fractures using TEN was more expensive than the other methods. In Romania, because the reimbursement for TEN is higher as well, there are no differences in the financial burden when treating forearm fractures with TEN versus K-wire. Non-surgical treatment has the lowest cost but also the lowest reimbursement.

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to examine biomechanical properties of titanium elastic nail fixation method that was applied to cadaveric clavicles with different thicknesses and lengths.MethodsTo test stiffness and failure load of clavicle with titanium elastic nail fixation, 12 pairs of clavicles were obtained. A short oblique fracture line (AO/OTA classification: 15-B1.2) was created at midpoint of the cadaveric bones. They were divided into four groups according to the nails with different thickness and length/diameter ratios. The fixated bones were situated on a jig that allows 3-point bending to measure stiffness and load failure.ResultsThe stiffness was measured to be mean 3.49±1.49N/mm in group 1. The stiffness for group 2 was mean 10.41±2.18N/mm, and for groups 3 and 4, the stiffness was mean 11.89±2.99N/mm and mean 24.44±4.86N/mm, respectively. When analyzed with statistics, group 1 had significant differences from groups 2 (P

This study has two purposes: (1) to compare the clinical results between the Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) and plate fixation of the displaced midshaft clavicle fracture; and (2) to demonstrate the relationship between length shortening and functional outcome after TEN fixation, especially in the comminuted fracture pattern. A retrospective, case-controlled study was conducted and 55 patients were included in our study: 25 in the TEN fixation group (TEN group) and 30 in the plate fixation group (plate group). All patients were classified into four subgroups: simple fracture in the TEN group (ST; n = 13), simple fracture in the plate group (SP; n = 15), comminuted fracture in the TEN group (CT; n = 12), and comminuted fracture in the plate group (CP; n = 15). Wound size was significantly smaller in the TEN group (p

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical results of a new design titanium elastic nail (TEN) for displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. Patients and methods Between February 2012 and December 2013, a total 36 patients with displaced midshaft clavicular fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing stabilization with our new design TEN. Blood loss, mean times of operation, postoperative complications, hospital stays and time to bone union was recorded. The outcomes were evaluated with radiographic assessment, visual analog scale (VAS) score, the Constant-Murley, and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores. Results The mean blood loss was 50.278 ± 10.753 ml, while the mean operation, hospital stay and bone union times were 46.417 ± 9.232 min, 10.056 ± 2.672 days and 11.583 ± 2.729 weeks, respectively. After removal of the TENs at a mean of 10.2 months (range, 8-13 months) after surgery, no re-fracture and nonunion was found in any patient. Two cases of shoulder back stabbing pain were spontaneously resolved later. The mean fracture healing time was 12 weeks. The VAS score and motion ranges of shoulder joint were significantly improved postoperatively (P < 0.001). The shoulder function recovery showed the excellent results with the mean Constant-Murley score of 93.389 ± 2.749 and DASH scores of 2.528 ± 1.567. Conclusion Our new TEN design used in intramedullary fixation might be a safe and effective technique for treatment of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study., Highlights • A new our self designed TEN was used for clavicular fractures. • The new TENs were individual designed with various types for different patients. • Satisfactory clinical therapeutic effects and few complications were obtained.

Background Isolated radial neck fractures occur only in rare cases. The majority of cases are non-displaced or minimally displaced and can be treated conservatively. Conservative treatment, however, might result in secondary displacement and/or malunion. On the other hand, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) as standard surgical approach in adults is associated with non-union, implant-related complications and reduced range of motion. For isolated radial neck fractures with an intact radial head, the procedure of centromedullary pinning—as widely used in the treatment of paediatric radial neck fractures—might be an alternative operative technique in adults as well. The purpose of this retrospective case series therefore was to evaluate the functional outcome of radial neck fractures treated by intramedullary pinning. Methods Between 02/2009 and 12/2014, a total of eight patients with isolated radial neck fractures (Mason type-III; Judet Type II and III) were treated with centromedullary pinning using titanium elastic nails (TEN). The mean age of the patients was 39 years (range 23–90 years) with a mean interval from injury to surgery of 2.9 days (range 1–7 days). Subjective and objective criteria included patient’s satisfaction, pain rating on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and active range of motion (ROM) compared to the contralateral armside. Functional scoring included the Morrey Elbow Score (MEPS), the QuickDASH and the Elbow Self Assessment Score (ESAS). Furthermore, follow-up radiographs were evaluated. Results Seven of the eight patients were available for follow-up after a mean of 36 months (range 6–64 months). Patients’ satisfaction was rated very good in four cases, good in two cases and sufficient in one case. An unrestricted active ROM compared to the contralateral side for extension-flexion arc and for pronation-supination-arc with full strength was rated in all cases. The Elbow Self Assessment Score was 98.52 ± 1.95 (range 96–100), the calculated Mayo elbow performance score was 95.71 ± 7.32 (range 85–100) and the QuickDASH score was 6.81 ± 10.42 (range 0–27). There were no complications as infection, non-union, heterotopic ossifications or secondary loss of reduction of the radial head. Only one patient complained about pain resulting from an affection of the superficial radial nerve. Conclusion In the present cohort, good to excellent results without relevant complications were seen. The technique of intramedullary pinning as described in the treatment of isolated radial neck fractures in children represents a suitable and reliable method in adults as well. In selected cases, this technique can be recommended as an alternative, minimal-invasive approach to the radial head plate osteosynthesis.

Summary Six children aged 9–14 years had primary TEN fixation of an isolated femoral diaphyseal fracture. Three of the six patients had major complications, including knee haemarthrosis, loss of position and refracture; two required revision to locked intra-medullary nails without early complication. Two of the six had significant stiffness of the knee requiring manipulation. In the age group 9–14 years, TEN fixation has a significant major complication rate. This needs to be recognised when TEN fixation with other treatment options.

Introduction: Clavicular injury is common in active and younger age group with male preponderance (male-female ratio is 2:1). Purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of surgically treated displaced fracture midshaft clavicular fracture using Intramedullary fixation by titanium elastic nail. Materials and Methods: We present a series of cases of midshaft clavicular fracture who were subjected to Intra medullary fixation with the average nail diameter of 2.5 to 3 mm titanium elastic nail system by the closed/open reduction method under Image intensifier control. Results: Average time taken for full clinical and radiological union was nine weeks (with minimum six weeks to maximum eleven weeks). Time taken for fully functional recovery (time of functional disability) was 35±7 days in all patients except in two cases of floating shoulder and one case of poly-traumatic patient in which it was 50 days. Follow-up period ranged between 9 months and 24 months with an average of 18 months. Average ConstantMurley-Score after assessment of shoulder function was 96.8. Conclusion: Titanium elastic intra-medullary nailing is a promising surgery with excellent functional outcome, safer percutaneous method with less invasive nature and rapid healing tendency with fewer complications in contrast to plate osteosynthesis.