Published online Jan 25, 2019.
https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2019.32.1.35
Treatment of the Proximal Femoral Fracture Using the New Design Cephalomedullary Nail: Prospective Outcomes Study
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical performance and safety of Zimmer® natural nail cephalomedullary nail (ZNN CM nail) in the treatment of proximal femur fractures.
Materials and Methods
The following research was conducted as a prospective, non-comparative, single center outcome study. Upon providing written informed consent, enrolled patients' data were collected and analyzed. Postoperative follow-up visits were scheduled at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Follow-up evaluation included radiographic assessment, physical examination, and quality of life and adverse events reports.
Results
Thirty-nine patients were available for evaluation at one year postoperative. The patients reported the mean EuroQol-5 Dimension score increased after surgery: from 0.4 points at discharge (n=49) to 0.6 points at 1-year post-surgery (n=39). The mean Harris hip score also increased after surgery: from 56.3 points at discharge (n=49) to 72.1 points at 1 year (n=12). Bone union was seen in 64% (n=16) in 6 months and 95% (n=37) in 1 year.
Conclusion
The results of this 1-year follow-up study affirmed the effectiveness and safety of the ZNN CM nail in the treatment of proximal femur fractures.
Introduction
A higher incidence of proximal femur fractures has resulted from increasing elderly population.1) T he 1-year mortality rate of the proximal femur fracture in the elderly population was 2.18 times higher for women and 3.17 times higher for men when compared to general population.2) Although large numbers of different implants are available for fixation, the ideal implant for treatment of proximal femur fractures is still a matter for discussion. The imperative goals of treatment are early mobilization by stable fixation using minimally invasive procedure and lower complication rates.3) To accomplish this goal, optimal treatment implants with fixed stability and strength should be chosen. Intramedullary devices proves to be most appropriate in view of their biomechanical advantage over extramedullary implants.4) However, perioperative and postoperative technical complications are common in somecases, requiring revisional operation.5, 6, 7) Currently, Zimmer® natural nail system cephalomedullary nail (ZNN CM nail; Zimmer® Inc., Warsaw, IN, USA) has become one of the emerging alternatives. This new implant design was intended to improve the treatment of proximal femur fractures, especially in elderly patients. Short-term results of the ZNN CM nail regarding complications, outcomes, and advantages are herein described.
Materials and Methods
1. Target population and study design
This study enrolled patients with age of 50 or above diagnosed with either stable or unstable, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric femur fractures. Patients with poor preinjury walking ability, sustaining pathologic fractures or multiple fractures, and candidates for revision surgery were ineligible for participation. This study was approved by our Institutional Review Board of Jeju National University Hospital (2014-02-003).
Following study was conducted as prospective, noncomparative, post-market, clinical follow-up study of ZNN CM nail. Patients were enrolled consecutively into the study postoperatively. Written consent was obtained after informing each patient about the purpose of the study. Upon signing the informed consent form, relevant preoperative and operative data, radiographic assessment and discharge data were collected and analyzed. Each patient will return to the clinic for follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Follow-up evaluation includes radiographic assessment, physical examination, quality-of-life questionnaire completion and reporting of adverse events.
Demographic characteristics such as gender, age, body mass index, and bone marrow density (BMD) collected from the baseline information of patients were analyzed. The lowest value of bone mineral density was assigned, excluding the Ward's portion measured in the hip joint. Trauma mechanism and fracture types using the AO classification were also analyzed.
2. Surgical techniques
Surgery was performed with the patient in supine position on a radiolucent traction table under fluoroscopic control. All procedures were performed under aseptic conditions in accordance with the established procedure specified in the appropriate surgical technique manual. A routine method of closed reduction was performed to achieve fracture alignment with optional assistance from percutaneous bone hooks or long forceps. The entry point of the nail is located at the tip of the greater trochanter, in antero-posterior (AP) view. In the lateral (LAT) view, the entry point should be at the midpoint of the greater trochanter. The specific lag screw was introduced into the center of the femoral head by drilling in both AP and LAT view. A set screw should also be used to prevent lag screw rotation. All procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon.
3. Clinical outcomes measurement
One of the objectives of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the ZNN CM nail in the treatment of proximal femur fracture. Patient quality of life was determined by evaluation of the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) self-completed questionnaire. Patient clinical outcome was determined using the Harris hip score (HHS). HHS was categorized as excellent (90–100), good (80–89), fair (70–79), or poor (<70). Patients completed the two questionnaires at the time of discharge and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The surveys were administered by a trained research nurse blinded to clinical information and not involved in the study. Operation time, length of stay, weight bearing without pain, resumption of pre-injury activity level, and patient work status were also measured.
4. Radiographic outcomes measurement
Implant-specific complications, implant position, and fracture union were evaluated for all participating patients through plain radiographs at immediate postoperative, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Tip-apex distance (TAD) was defined as the distance between the tip of the screw and the apex of the femoral head on both AP and LAT views with consideration of the radiographic magnification.8) Radiologic fracture union is defined as bridging of the fracture site by callus or bone at a minimum of three cortices. Cortical healing is assessed in four anatomic proximal femur regions (anterior, posterior, medial and LAT) using AP and LAT views of plain hip joint radiography (Fig. 1).9, 10)
Fig. 1
(A) Hip antero-posterior (AP) view of left intertrochanteric fracture immediately postoperation. Medial and lateral (LAT) cortex fracture gap at the fracture site is depicted by white arrows. (B) Hip left LAT view of intertrochanteric fracture immediately postoperation. Anterior and posterior cortex fracture gap at the fracture site is depicted by white arrows. (C) Hip AP view of left intertrochanteric fracture 6 months postoperation. Medial cortex shows no fracture gap (white triangles) and callus formation is observed. (D) Hip left LAT view of femur intertrochanteric fracture 6 months postoperation. Anterior and posterior cortex shows no fracture gap (white triangles) and callus formation is observed.
5. Statistical analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS statistical software version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Clinical scores, such as EQ-5D, HHS were compared at the time of discharge and 1 year postoperatively using a paired samples t-test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
1. Patient baseline characteristics information
The study was originally planned to enroll 50 patients at the Jeju National University Hospital. However, due to the slow recruitment rate, the study was conducted with 49 patients. Following the manufacturer' surgical technique, all enrolled patients received the CM Asia nail (short) or CM long nail for treatment of proximal femur fracture. The numbers of patients available for the postoperative follow-ups were 41, 30, 25, and 39 at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. Five patients withdrew their consent and other 5 patients were not available for the final follow-up (Fig. 2). The mean follow-up period for patients involved in the study was 16.04±7.51 months.
Fig. 2
Patient enrollment and follow-up flow chart. This study involved intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures in 39 patients requiring cephalomedullary nailing. FUP: follow-up percentage.
Preoperative BMD was measured in all patients. Only 2.1% of the patients (n=1) had normal value of T-score −1.0 to +1.0, while 85.7% of the patients (n=42) showed osteoporosis with T-score of −2.5 or less and 12.2% (n=6) showed osteopenia with T-score of −1.0 to 2.5. There were 6.1% AO 31-A1 simple petrochanteric fractures (n=3), 77.6% AO 31-A2 multifragmentary petrochanteric fractures (n=38), 12.2% AO 31-A3 intertrochanteric fractures (n=6), and 4.1% AO 32-A3.1 subtrochanteric fractures (n=2). ZNN CM Asia nail (short) was used in 95.9% fractures (n=47) while the CM long nail was used in only 4.1% cases (n=2). The 2 cases in which the CM long nail was used were subtrochanteric fractures with fracture lines that were distal to the lesser trochanter. A summary of the demographic, injury, operative and device information are outlined in Table 1 and 2, respectively.
Table 1
Baseline Characteristics Included in This Study
Table 2
Intra- and Postoperative Variables
2. Clinical outcomes
The mean EQ-5D score increased after discharge: from 0.4±0.3 points at discharge (n=49) to 0.6±0.3 points at 1 year follow-up (n=39) (Fig. 3). The difference in EQ-5D score observed at discharge and at 1 year follow-up was statistical significant (p<0.001).
Fig. 3
Mean EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) score. Mean value of EQ-5D score measured in outpatient clinic using questionnaires at each follow-up period. Scores tend to increase from the EQ-5D baseline over time.
The mean health state score also increased from 61.2±15.0 points at discharge (n=49) to 80.7±11.6 points, at 1 year follow-up (n=39). There was a statistically significant difference between mean health state scores measured at discharge and at 1 year follow-up (p<0.001). At final follow-up, 41% of the cases achieved a good to excellent grade in the HHS. The mean HHS increased from 56.3±16.0 points, at discharge (n=49) to 72.1±16.9 points, at 1 year follow-up (n=12) (Fig. 4). There was a statistically significant difference between HHS scores at discharge and at 1 year follow-up (p<0.001). The mean operation time was 63.9±23.3 minutes, length of stay was 27.6±14.3 days. At 1 year follow-up, 77% of patients (n=13) achieved full weight bearing without pain compared to 56% (n=41) at postoperative 6 weeks (Fig. 5). At 1 year postoperative, 54% of the patients indicated that they were able to resume the activity level they had before the accident. At the same time, 8% of the patients were able to stay employed compared to 3% at 3 months follow-up.
Fig. 4
Mean Harris hip score (HHS). Mean value of HHS measured in outpatient clinic questionnaires at each follow-up period. Scores tend to increase from the HHS baseline over time.
Fig. 5
Weight bearing without pain. Proportion of weight bearing without pain observed in outpatient clinic at each follow-up period. Proportion of weight bearing without pain increases over the follow-up period.
3. Radiographic outcomes
The mean TAD of the implanted CM nail was 11.2–17.6 mm and anatomic nail fit was assessed to be good in all cases (Table 2). At postoperative 1 year, 95% of patients (n=37) who continued follow-up with X-rays achieved bone union without soft tissue complication (Fig. 6). The 5% (n=2) who did not achieve radiological union at 1 year postoperative showed callus in only 2 cortices. Bony union was confirmed on subsequent follow-up X-rays. Radiologic union was achieved at an average rate of 44.84±15.6 weeks postoperatively. No adverse events such as implant specific complication were reported.
Fig. 6
Radiologic fracture healing. Radiologic bone union rate confirmed on plain radiographs at each follow-up period. Radiologic bone union rate increases over the follow-up period.
Discussion
The proximal femoral fractures tend to increase the frequency of occurrence in older patients, and the outcomes are usually not good in the conservative treatment. Proximal femur fractures developed elderly patients, usually present poor outcome when treated conservatively. Early mobilization via surgical fixation should be the first line of choice when treating proximal femur fracture in elderly. However, the choice of implant remains controversial. Currently, cephalomedullary devices are widely being used. From the mechanical point of view, a cephalomedullary nail inserted by minimally invasive technique appears to be optimal in the elderly patients.11, 12, 13) Closed reduction of the fracture contains the hematoma, an essential element in fracture healing.14) Proximal femoral nailing allows minimal softtissue dissection, reduce surgical trauma, blood loss, infection, and wound complications.15)
Some of disadvantages were also reported, including femoral head bone penetration, excessive sliding of lag screw and fatigue fractures of the underside of metal nail.6, 13, 16) If the lag screw pull out excessive, the Z-effect may cause a postoperative pain.17) Also point out that lag screw migration of more than 10 mm can cause subcutaneous irritation and bursitis.18) In particular, Asian populations tend to show not only smaller average height than that of westerners, but also shorter length and diameter of the proximal femur.19) Usage of conventional implant in femur with ante-curvature and excessive bowing can develop irritation and damage of anterior cortex of proximal femur. Problems with the technical difficulty due to proximal implant geometry-patient anatomy mismatch and implant fixation loosening were noted.20, 21) Thus, invention of newly designed implant for Asian anatomical structures were in need. New implants with improved designs such as the ZNN CM nail were developed for elderly patients.
The ZNN CM nail is an implant that improvements intertrochanteric/subtrochanteric intramedullary nail (ITST; Zimmer®). The proximal diameter of the instrument is reduced from 16 to 15.5 mm, the front slope is designed to be 15 degrees. Proximal lateralization angle of the instrument is decreased from 5 to 4 degrees and the various caputcolumn-diaphyseal (CCD) angles are more anatomical. The CCD angle is the projection of the angle between diaphysis and the femoral neck onto an X-ray-image. In addition, the surface of the distal instrument has a floating design for easy insertion. The length of the lag screw thread is longer than 35 mm and the set screw can be inserted proximal part of the lag screw to resist sliding pull-out and provide a firm fixation force (Fig. 7).
Fig. 7
Example of the Zimmer natural nail. The proximal diameter of the instrument is reduced from 16 to 15.5 mm as depicted by the dotted outline. Proximal lateralization angle of the instrument is decreased from 5 to 4 degrees as depicted by the square-ended outlines. The caput-columndiaphyseal (CCD) angle is depicted by the dotted-arrow lines.
In our clinical cases, the results showed that all performance measurements of the postoperative recovery including EQ-5D, the health state score, and the HHS were improved. In addition, in 1 year follow-up compared to discharge time, all 3 clinical scores show statistically significant improvements. Improvement in walking, joint exercise angles, as well as other sub-introducts including daily living, and reduction of post-traumatic stress levels were noted. The HHS showed similar level of functional recovery when compared to previously published literature.22, 23, 24)
There were no adverse events and the overall incidence is zero. The incidence of technical complications in our study, represented a lower rate than that published in different studies on the use of the other intramedullary nail device.24, 25, 26) However, since this study is a non-comparative study with a short follow-up period; it does not necessarily support that ZNN CM nail is superior to other implants because complications did not occur.
The advantage of our research is that it is single center research. All operations were performed by one skilled orthopedic surgeon. This will produce consistent results in surgery compared to studies involving multiple orthopedic surgeons in multicenter research. It can also reduce the number of variables that can occur during the treatment period, thereby increasing the reliability of research. Another advantage of our research is that it collected data from 44 patients of 49 patients who were enrolled in the study up to 12 months. This is a 80% follow-up rate, which is relatively higher than other papers. Because there are very few excluded data, this reliability of this research results can be increased.27)
Reference to functional status of patients is a characteristic element of this study. For example, patient progress was observed in returning to daily life including; resumption of pre-injury activity level and patient work status. This point is deemed to be fully utilized in other papers in the future.
However, there are some limitations that need to be acknowledged and addressed regarding this study. First, following study was not conducted in randomized control trial manner, which the evidence is less appealing than randomized controlled trial studies. Second, the follow-up period is relatively short, leading to inability to represent long term outcomes of ZNN CM nail. Third, there were no control group to compare the functional outcomes to other implants. But compared to similar design studies, it can be said that the majority of the scores tend to be well observed.
Conclusion
The orthopedic surgeon must be meticulous when deciding to perform surgical fixation of proximal femoral fracture of elderly patients, for their systemic conditions are often poor and brittle. Considering the result obtained from this study, we conclude that the ZNN CM nail emerges as a valid option in the treatment of proximal femoral fractures via improved nail design, simplicity and lack of aggressiveness of the surgical technique and the low level of complications.
Financial support:This study was supported with grants from ZimmerBiomet Korea and by the Academic Research Foundation of Jeju National University Institute of Medical Science.
Conflict of interests:None.
References
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