Comparison of software-assisted and freehand methods of rotational assessment for diaphyseal femur fractures.

Abstract

Objective: Accurate rotational reduction following femoral shaft fracture fixation is absent in up to 28% of cases yet is critical for lower extremity biomechanics. The objective of this cadaveric study was to compare the results of freehand methods of rotational reduction with software-assisted rotational reduction.

Methods: Four fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeons attempted rotational correction in a cadaveric model with fluoroscopic assistance using (1) their method of choice (MoC) and (2) software assistance (SA). After correction, deviation from baseline rotation was calculated.

Results: The mean difference between the two methods (MoC-SA) was 1.1 which was not significant when comparing all raters and between raters individually. SA had significantly less variability compared to MoC. The rate of clinically relevant rotational deformity (> 15°) was 28% using MoC and 11% using SA.

Conclusion: Rotational assessment of diaphyseal femur fractures in this cadaveric model was not significantly different when compared between method of choice and software augmentation.