5 research outputs found
Is gluteus medius injured in patients treated with a trochanter tip entry intramedullary nail? Clinical, electrophysiological and functional outcomes
Objectives: This study aims to assess the functional outcomes,
static-dynamic postural stability of patients and evaluate
electromyographic activity of gluteus medius (GMed) muscle during gait
and spatiotemporal parameters of gait in patients after antegrade
intramedullary nailing (IMN) of femoral shaft fractures with trochanter
tip entry.
Patients and methods: Sixteen patients (15 males, 1 female; mean age
34.8 +/- 15.2 years; range, 18 to 58 years) who were treated with an
antegrade trochanteric IMN between January 2009 and July 2013 and eight
healthy male controls (mean age 39.3 +/- 9.8 years; range, 27 to 57
years) were included in this retrospective study. Muscle strength,
static and dynamic postural stability and fall risk were evaluated. In
addition, spatiotemporal parameters of gait were assessed using a
validated wireless inertial sensing device and a wireless
electromyography (EMG) device was used to measure electromyographic
activity of GMed muscle in both groups.
Results: There were significant differences in muscle strength,
functional and dynamic balance test scores between operated and intact
sides (one-leg hop test score p=0.009, balance test scores p
0.001-0.033). There were significant differences in functional and
quality of life physical function test scores between groups (one-leg
hop test score p=0.014). However, no significant differences were found
in EMG results, dynamics balance, and statics postural stability test
scores between groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: After isolated femur fracture, patients treated with
antegrade trochanteric IMN demonstrated good static and dynamic
stability and poor functional outcomes compared to controls. In
conclusion, patients with antegrade trochanteric IMN have good balance
but poor functional performance; however, further studies are needed to
find out the primary reason for these results