Combination of femoral fracture treatment and corrective osteotomy in a child with osteogenesis imperfecta

The main feature of osteogenesis imperfecta is an excessive fragility and deformability of the bones owing to reduced mass and bone quality. This leads to angular deformity and frequent fractures. These fractures usually heal rapidly, and conservative treatment is the norm. In displaced and unstable fractures, elastic intramedullary nailing is a treatment option. We report a case of a 3-year-old child with osteogenesis imperfecta type I who suffered an undisplaced femoral shaft fracture in the presence of a preexisting 32° femoral antecurvation. This deformity greatly increases the risk of a refracture due to the pathological induction of stress risers. Therefore, fracture treatment by unreamed elastic intramedullary nailing was combined with simultaneous correction osteotomy, resulting in anatomic alignment and uncomplicated fracture healing. The single-stage surgical stabilization performed allowed rapid mobilization along with a decreased likelihood of refracture.