Limb salvage in a partially amputated distal femur with extensive segmental bone loss using the nailing after lengthening technique: a case report

Segmental long bone defects resulting from high-energy trauma with severe soft tissue loss are difficult problems to manage. Amputation was for a long time the primary mainstay of treatment. This is the report on a 15-year-old male patient who sustained a third-degree open, traumatic fracture with partial amputation of the left distal femur and extensive bone loss of 26 cm. Successful limb salvage was performed after vascular repair, shortening of the bone defect, primary placement of an antibiotic cement spacer and simple external fixation. This was followed by bifocal lengthening modifying the simple frame until limb equality was achieved and secondary intramedullary nailing 11 months after injury.