ArticleJournal of orthopaedic case reports2026
Salvage of a Broken Magnetic Tibia Nail with Plate Fixation Without Nail Removal: A Case Report.
Article in Journal of orthopaedic case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Introduction: Magnetic intramedullary nails are used for deformity correction and limb lengthening because of their minimally invasive nature and reduced complication rates compared to external fixators. However, complications such as non-union and nail breakage remain rare but significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases with patient-specific risk factors. This case demonstrates a successful union after nail fracture without the removal of the intramedullary nail, using lateral plate fixation, offering a salvage option in this uncommon scenario. Case Report: A 22-year-old female with congenital left leg shortening, previously treated with two external fixator lengthening procedures and later plate fixation after a tibia fracture, presented with progressive genu valgum and 4 cm limb-length discrepancy. Deformity correction and lengthening using a magnetic intramedullary tibial nail were performed, with an uneventful 1-week latency phase and 6-week distraction phase. Because of delayed union during consolidation, bone marrow aspirate concentrate injection was performed at post-operative 5th month, followed by iliac crest autograft placement on post-operative 7th month. At post-operative 10th month, she experienced sudden pain and a snapping sensation while descending stairs, came to the emergency room, and imaging revealed nail fracture. Revision surgery was performed, and the broken nail was intentionally left in situ and stabilized with a lateral locking plate. The patient achieved uneventful recovery with progressive weight-bearing and radiographic union, regaining full function at 9th month. Conclusion: Magnetic intramedullary nails, while effective for limb lengthening, can fail mechanically because of delayed union and poor adherence to rehabilitation protocols. Recognizing the complications early and actively addressing risk factors are essential to improving the outcome. Most importantly, this case report shows that plate fixation over a retained broken magnetic tibial nail can restore stability and lead to union and functional recovery without the need for implant removal, offering a practical treatment option for this uncommon but challenging complication.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.