Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report
Introduction: Ankle fracture non-union in elderly patients is challenging due to osteoporotic bone, comorbidities, and risks associated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nail fixation enables early weight-bearing but is costly and not widely available in reso...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Indian Orthopaedic Research Group
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/03/01/distal-femoral-nail-as-a-cost-effective-alternative-to-tibiotalocalcaneal-nail-for-ankle-fracture-non-union-in-an-elderly-patient-a-case-report/ |
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| author | Pawan Kumar Abhishek Kumar Das Sudarsan Behera Manish Raj Janki Sharan Bhadani Baibhav Mishra |
| author_facet | Pawan Kumar Abhishek Kumar Das Sudarsan Behera Manish Raj Janki Sharan Bhadani Baibhav Mishra |
| author_sort | Pawan Kumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:
Ankle fracture non-union in elderly patients is challenging due to osteoporotic bone, comorbidities, and risks associated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nail fixation enables early weight-bearing but is costly and not widely available in resource-limited settings.
Case Report:
We present an 83-year-old male with a painful, deformed left ankle and non-union of a bimalleolar fracture treated conservatively. Comorbidities included diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Due to fragile skin and high ORIF-associated risks, a distal femoral nail (DFN) was used as a substitute for a TTC nail. A minimally invasive technique was performed, including joint preparation and medial malleolar bone grafting. Weight-bearing was initiated postoperatively.
Conclusion:
DFN offered comparable fixation with reduced cost and acceptable complications. This case highlights DFN’s utility as a TTC nail substitute in elderly patients, ensuring stability, early mobilization, and functional recovery in low-resource settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d2cddefbc35458495ea1dd181f224d3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2250-0685 2321-3817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Indian Orthopaedic Research Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d2cddefbc35458495ea1dd181f224d32025-08-20T03:31:27ZengIndian Orthopaedic Research GroupJournal of Orthopaedic Case Reports2250-06852321-38172025-03-0115316516810.13107/jocr.2025.v15.i03.5374Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case ReportPawan KumarAbhishek Kumar DasSudarsan BeheraManish RajJanki Sharan BhadaniBaibhav MishraIntroduction: Ankle fracture non-union in elderly patients is challenging due to osteoporotic bone, comorbidities, and risks associated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nail fixation enables early weight-bearing but is costly and not widely available in resource-limited settings. Case Report: We present an 83-year-old male with a painful, deformed left ankle and non-union of a bimalleolar fracture treated conservatively. Comorbidities included diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Due to fragile skin and high ORIF-associated risks, a distal femoral nail (DFN) was used as a substitute for a TTC nail. A minimally invasive technique was performed, including joint preparation and medial malleolar bone grafting. Weight-bearing was initiated postoperatively. Conclusion: DFN offered comparable fixation with reduced cost and acceptable complications. This case highlights DFN’s utility as a TTC nail substitute in elderly patients, ensuring stability, early mobilization, and functional recovery in low-resource settings.https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/03/01/distal-femoral-nail-as-a-cost-effective-alternative-to-tibiotalocalcaneal-nail-for-ankle-fracture-non-union-in-an-elderly-patient-a-case-report/distal femur nailankle arthrodesisosteoporotic fracture |
| spellingShingle | Pawan Kumar Abhishek Kumar Das Sudarsan Behera Manish Raj Janki Sharan Bhadani Baibhav Mishra Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports distal femur nail ankle arthrodesis osteoporotic fracture |
| title | Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report |
| title_full | Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report |
| title_fullStr | Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report |
| title_short | Distal Femoral Nail as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail for Ankle Fracture Non-Union in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report |
| title_sort | distal femoral nail as a cost effective alternative to tibiotalocalcaneal nail for ankle fracture non union in an elderly patient a case report |
| topic | distal femur nail ankle arthrodesis osteoporotic fracture |
| url | https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/03/01/distal-femoral-nail-as-a-cost-effective-alternative-to-tibiotalocalcaneal-nail-for-ankle-fracture-non-union-in-an-elderly-patient-a-case-report/ |
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