The Anterior Curve of the Adult Femur in a Kenyan Population and its Mismatch with Available Intramedullary Nails
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Date
2016
Authors
Lakati, K.C.
Ndeleva, B.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AJOL
Abstract
Background: There are currently no studies which have documented the anterior femoral curvature in
Kenya or elsewhere in Africa, and compared it to the curvature of the available intramedullary nails.
Objective: To determine the anterior femoral curvature in cadaveric femora and to compare this with the
curvatures of locally available femoral intramedullary nails.
Methods: We determined the radii of 66 cadaveric femora by the method described by Karakas and Harma.
The radii of locally available femoral intramedullary nails were also obtained from the respective product
monographs.
Results: We found that the radius of the curvature ranged from 52.02cm to 165.82cm with a mean of
96.4cm and standard deviation of 25.61cm. The radii of locally available intra-medullary nails ranged from
127cm to 200cm.
Conclusion: The radius of curvature of the adult femora in Kenyans is less than that of other populations.
There was a large mismatch between the available intramedullary nails and the femoral curvature. Further
study of the complications resulting from this mismatch and a review of the design of the nails for local use
is recommended.
Description
Research Article