The influence of osteoporosis in femoral fracture healing time

Abstract

Aim: In order to assess the effect of osteoporosis on healing time, the files of 165 patients with femoral shaft fractures that were treated in our institution with locked-reamed intramedullary nailing were retrospectively reviewed.

Patients and methods: Patients with open fractures, pathological fractures, revision surgery, severe brain injuries and prolonged ITU stay were excluded. In all patients the Singh-index score for osteoporosis and the canal bone ratio (CBR) were assigned. Sixty-six patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups; group A (29 patients) consisted of patients over 65 years old with radiological evidence of osteoporosis and group B (37 patients) of patients between 18 and 40 years old with no signs of osteoporosis.

Results: In all group A patients Singh score < or =4 and CBR>0.50 were assigned, suggesting the presence of osteoporosis, whereas all group B patients were assigned with Singh score > or =5 and CBR<0.48. Fractures of group A healed in 19.38+/-5.9 weeks (12-30) and in group B 16.19+/-5.07 weeks (10-28), P=0.02.

Conclusions: Fracture healing of nailed femoral diaphyseal fractures is significantly delayed in older osteoporotic patients. Further studies are required to clarify the exact impact of osteoporosis in the whole healing process.