Leg Length Discrepancy Due to Loss of Femoral Antecurvatum After Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing of Diaphyseal Fractures of the Femur in Children

Abstract

Limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent complication after elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) of femoral shaft fractures in children. It is the result of either shortening or lengthening of the affected limb. A shorter limb is usually observed when there is no strict adherence to the main indication of the technique, which is a transverse or short oblique fracture of the diaphysis. A longer limb may be the result of either improper reduction and significant dissociation of fracture fragments, or stimulation of growth of the fractured bone of the child, known as overgrowth. We describe a potential third cause of limb lengthening after treating femoral shaft fractures with the ESIN technique. LLD may be the result of acute femur lengthening due to the loss of normal femoral antecurvatum.