Treatment of Post-Traumatic Femoral Discrepancy with PRECICE Magnetic-Powered Intramedullary Lengthening Nails

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of lengthening post-traumatic femoral segments using a recently available magnetic intramedullary (IM) lengthening system. Design:Retrospective cohort study. Setting:Urban level II Trauma Center. Patients/Participants:Patients treated for post-traumatic femoral shortening at our institution between 2012 and 2015. We identified 17 femurs lengthened (14 men and 3 women). The mean age was 30 years (range, 11-72 years). Intervention:Magnetic IM lengthening system. Main Outcome Measurements:Amount of lengthening achieved, consolidation index, and complications encountered. Results:The mean follow-up was 2.2 years (range, 1-3.7 years). Sixteen patients achieved the planned lengthening, a mean of 3.8 cm (range, 2.3-6.0 cm). Regenerate consolidation occurred at a mean of 119 days (range, 57-209 days). The mean consolidation index was 32 d/cm (range, 16-51 d/cm). Three patients (18%) experienced complications. Conclusion:IM lengthening nails are an improvement over external fixators for treatment of post-traumatic femoral shortening. Within certain limits, their use can be extended to problems of limb-length discrepancy with angular/rotational deformity. Level of Evidence:Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.