Pseudarthrosis (PSA) is a possible complication of femoral shaft fracture treatment. It is often associated with reduced bone quality and can, therefore, adversely affect quality of life. Its treatment poses a major challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Several authors have set forth different surgical approaches for the treatment of pseudarthrosis, such as internal fixation with plate and screws, replacement of an intramedullary nail or prosthetic replacement. In cases associated with bone loss, osteopenia, or comminution of fracture fragments, autologous or homologous bone grafts may also be used. The chronic outcomes of the surgical treatment of femoral shaft pseudarthrosis, even when consolidation is achieved, are linked to disabling sequelae of clinical-functional relevance, deserving an adequate medico-legal evaluation. The purpose of this retrospective study is to analyse a clinical case series of patients treated for atrophic femoral shaft pseudarthrosis at the IRCCS Orthopaedic Institute Galeazzi, Milan, Italy, from 2014 to 2020 and their orthopaedic-traumatological and medico-legal implications.

Telemedicine is the combination of technologies and activities that offer new remote ways of medical care. The Sm@rtEven application project is a remote assistance service that follows patients affected by lower limb fractures surgically treated at Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute (Milan, Italy). The Sm@rtEven application aims to evaluate the clinical conditions of patients treated for lower limb fracture after discharge from hospital using remote follow-up (FU). The project is not a substitute for traditional clinical consultations but an additional tool for a more complete and prolonged view over time. The Sm@rtEven application is installed on patients’ smartphones and is used daily to communicate with healthcare personnel. In the first protocol, patients had to complete different tasks for 30 days, such as monitoring the load progression on the affected limb, the number of steps during the day, and body temperature and completing a questionnaire. A simplified protocol was proposed due to the pandemic and logistical issues. The revised protocol enrolled patients after more than 30 days of their operation, prioritized the rehabilitation phase, and required patients to use the app for fewer days. After an initial phase of correct use, a reduction in patient compliance was gradually reported in the first protocol. However, patient compliance in the second protocol remained high (96.25%) in the recording of all the required parameters. The Sm@rtEven application has proven to be a valuable tool for following patients remotely, especially during the pandemic. Telemedicine has the same value as traditional clinical evaluations, and it enables patients to be followed over long distances and over time, minimizing any discomfort.