Information for Medical Professionals

Distraction osteogenesis associated with high complication rate

The use of distraction osteogenesis is common in cases of infected femoral non-union.

However, according to new research published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the procedure is associated with particularly high complication rates.

In the retrospective study, entitled Complications Associated with Distraction Osteogenesis for Infected Non-union of the Femoral Shaft in the Presence of a Bone Defect, the researchers behind the paper looked at 50 consecutive patients - 41 men and nine women - with a mean age of 29.9 years.

The patients were followed for an average of 5.9 years and distraction osteogensis was conducted for a mean of 24.5 months.

All patients showed signs of a pin-track infection during treatment and one patient required hip disarticulation to manage intractable sepsis.

In total, 13 patients had persistent pain.

A recent cohort study funded by the National Institute of Aging found that leg length inequality was a contributing factor to the development of osteoarthritis.

---

<< Back

News provided by Adfero in collaboration with Biomet. Please note that all copy is (c) Adfero Ltd and does not reflect the views or opinions of Biomet unless explicitly stated.