Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42088629›Full record

ReviewJournal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma2026

Femoral diaphysis malunion: An overview.

Marco Pes, Yahya Ibrahim, Nikhil Pandit, Alexandros Vris

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Marco PesRoyal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1FR, UK.
Yahya IbrahimRoyal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1FR, UK.
Nikhil PanditRoyal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1FR, UK.
Alexandros VrisRoyal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1FR, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Femoral diaphyseal fractures are commonly treated with intramedullary nailing; however, malunion remains a clinically significant complication, particularly following delayed presentation, non-operative management, or treatment in resource-limited settings. Femoral diaphyseal malunion may be angular, rotational, longitudinal, or multiplanar and can result in gait disturbance, limb-length discrepancy, patellofemoral overload, secondary joint degeneration, and chronic pain. Given the substantial functional impact, corrective osteotomy is often indicated. This narrative review presents a structured approach to the assessment and management of femoral diaphyseal malunion. Key elements include comprehensive patient evaluation, detailed clinical and radiological deformity analysis, and contemporary operative strategies aimed at restoring alignment, rotation, and limb length while minimising morbidity. Successful correction requires meticulous preoperative planning and careful intraoperative execution, according to available resources. Treatment options include intramedullary nailing, plate fixation, hybrid constructs, and external fixation techniques, each with specific indications. Although circular external fixators allow accurate multiplanar correction, their prolonged use in the femur is poorly tolerated. Fixator-assisted correction has evolved to improve intraoperative control while avoiding long-term external fixation. Modern techniques such as Computer Hexapod-Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CHAOS) utilise a temporary intraoperative hexapod frame to achieve precise multiplanar correction, followed by definitive internal fixation within the same procedure. Adjuncts including poller screws, three-dimensional planning, and patient-specific guides further enhance accuracy and stability. Femoral diaphyseal malunion presents complex diagnostic and technical challenges. A systematic, patient-specific approach incorporating modern fixator-assisted and computer-guided techniques enables reliable restoration of alignment and rotation, improving function and quality of life.

Indexed as

Bone lengthening [E04.555.120]External fixators [E07.858.442.660]Orthopedic procedures [E02.718]Osteotomy [E04.555.580]

Identifiers

PMID42088629
PMCPMC13136720

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.