Internal fixation after fracture or osteotomy of the femur in young children with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia

Abstract

Children from 4 to 7 years of age with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) may need internal fixation of the femur for either fracture or osteotomy. At that age, the small size of the femur allows only the use of small intramedullary nails. However, titanium elastic nails and rigid intramedullary pediatric interlocking femoral nails – good for fracture or osteotomy fixation in the normal femur – are not indicated in PFD. From 2009 to 2011, we treated eight cases of PFD femoral fracture and deformity by internal fixation with a custom-modified adult humeral nail to which a spiral blade was connected. The 7-mm thick nail fit properly into the small femoral shaft and the spiral blade conferred ideal mechanical support to the femoral neck. Three cases had replacement of the humeral nail with a more appropriate adult femoral nail 3 years after the index procedure when the femur had reached an adequate size. In the maximum follow-up period of 4 years, few complications were observed.