Removal of a Bent Locked Intramedullary Nail from the Femur. A Case Report

Authors

Tonye Adaiyi Obene

Department of Orthopaedics, Rivers State University, Rivers State (Nigeria)

Friday E Aaron

Department of Orthopaedics, Rivers State University, Rivers State (Nigeria)

Article Information

DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.11070049

Subject Category: Medical Sciences

Volume/Issue: 11/7 | Page No: 823-827

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-07-17

Accepted: 2026-07-22

Published: 2026-07-30

Abstract

Introduction: The issue of deformation of a secured femoral intramedullary nail following recurrent injury is uncommon and can complicate standard removal procedures. The difficulty escalates in regions without specialised metal-cutting machinery.
Case Presentation: A 28-year-old woman sustained a left femoral shaft fracture following a road traffic accident in November 2025. She underwent open reduction and internal fixation using a hollow 9 × 360 mm stainless-steel locked intramedullary nail manufactured by Nebula Surgical Pvt. Ltd. She was discharged on the fifth postoperative day but subsequently fell at home and bent the implant. Radiographs demonstrated a 25° bend involving a 12.5 cm segment of the nail. Revision surgery was performed six months after the reinjury. A Gigli saw failed to create an indentation in the implant, while a giant rod cutter compressed and partially collapsed the nail without transecting it. A conventional hacksaw was then used successfully to divide and remove the nail. Revision fixation was performed using an 11 × 375 mm stainless-steel locked intramedullary nail from the same manufacturer.

Keywords

implant distortion, corrective stabilisation, manual severance, resource-constrained surgery

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References

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