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Case Studies | Orthopaedic Surgery | India | Volume 13 Issue 1, January 2024

Abnormal Bone Thickening along an Intramedullary Nail away from Fracture Site Could Be a Broken Nail

Dr. Kishore V | Dr. A. Bala Bhaskar

Abstract: A Broken Implant was almost evident in a radiograph. In few cases there is no evidence of IM nail rupture or break in radiographs but intraoperatively found broken. Inadequate planning and preparation for removal of broken IM nail leads to complicated surgery and non - retrival of implants was a major concern for patient satisfaction. During elective implant removal of a 6 years old short PFN for united intertrochanteric fracture, we unexpectedly found Implant breakage distally during surgery which successfully removed through a retrograde reemer from distal femur entry. On retrospective examination of radiographs, it shows characteristic abnormal bone thickening at the same site of Implant rupture. This sign was also observed in another similar case and other four cases from literature. From these observations, we conclude abnormal bone thickening away from a fracture site along an IM nail with an united primary fracture as a strong predictor of Implant breakage or rupture at that site.

Keywords: Broken PFN, Abnormal Bone Thickening, Implant Rupture, Self Dynamisation of PFN

Edition: Volume 13 Issue 1, January 2024,

Pages: 1166 - 1168