BACKGROUND
The management of femoral shaft fractures in pediatric age has always been a subject of discussion. In this study, we aim to find out the functional outcomes following the use of Titanium Elastic Nails for diaphyseal femoral fractures in children.
METHODS
This prospective observational study was performed on 23 patients of age 5 to 15 years with diaphyseal femur fracture who were operated and fixed with intramedullary TENS in the Department of Orthopedics, BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences from May 2020 to April 2021. Patients were evaluated to find out the functional outcomes of titanium elastic nail fixation in diaphyseal fracture of femur in pediatric age group using Flynn’s scoring criteria, Bhatti’s functional hip score and Neer’s knee scoring system.
RESULTS
All 23 patients were evaluated for a period of 1 year. Radiological union in all cases were attained in a mean time of 14.61±4.06 weeks. Average duration of hospital stay was 4.30±0.70 days.There was no case of significant limb length discrepancy and malalignment . The results were excellent in 21 patients (91.3%), satisfactory in 2 (8.7%) and poor in zero patient at 1 year follow up using Flynn’s criteria. Similarly, the results were excellent in 22 patients (95.6%) and good in 1 patient (4.4%) using Bhatti’s functional hip score while all the cases showed excellent results using Neer’s knee scoring system.
CONCLUSION
Based on these results, TENS is a safe and effective method for the management of diaphyseal femur fractures in children.
KEYWORDS
Diaphyseal; ESIN; femur fracture; pediatric; outcomes