FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF FLEXIBLE TITANIUM NAILS IN PAEDIATRIC WITH FEMORAL SHAFT FRACTURES

Background: Femoral shaft fractures are among the most common long bone fractures in the pediatric population, with a higher incidence in boys and typically resulting from falls, accidents, or trauma. Effective treatment aims to maintain bone length and alignment while minimizing discomfort for the patient and inconvenience for the family. Flexible intramedullary nailing has emerged as a preferred method for pediatric femoral fractures due to its simplicity, favorable healing rates, and low complication risk. Objective: This study aimed to assess the functional outcomes of pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated with flexible titanium intramedullary nails. Methods: A descriptive case series was conducted in the Orthopaedic Surgery Unit-II at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, over six months from September 16, 2021, to March 16, 2022. A total of 60 pediatric patients, aged 4-11 years with femoral shaft fractures, underwent retrograde intramedullary nailing using two nails of identical diameter under image guidance. Patients were monitored in three-week intervals until radiological union was confirmed. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 25.0, stratified by gender and age, with statistical significance determined by a Chi-square test at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The final sample included 46 male (76.7%) and 14 female (23.3%) patients, with a mean age of 7.18 years (SD ± 2.259). Based on Flynn’s criteria, 96.7% (58 patients) demonstrated satisfactory functional outcomes, with 60.0% (36 patients) rated as “excellent,” 30.0% (18 patients) as “good,” and 6.7% (4 patients) as “fair,” while only 3.3% (2 patients) had “poor” outcomes. Conclusion: Flexible intramedullary nailing is an effective method for treating simple pediatric femoral shaft fractures, providing strong functional outcomes with minimal complications, supporting its role as a reliable treatment option in pediatric orthopedics.