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The SIGN nail for knee fusion: technique and clinical results
Duane Ray Anderson1, Lucas Aaron Anderson2, Justin M Haller2
1Soddo Christian Hospital Soddo Ethiopia.
Purpose:
Evaluate the efficacy of using the SIGN nail for instrumented knee fusion.
Methods:
Six consecutive patients (seven knees, three males) with an average age of 30.5 years (range, 18-50 years) underwent a knee arthrodesis with SIGN nail (mean follow-up 10.7 months; range, 8-14 months). Diagnoses included tuberculosis (two knees), congenital knee dislocation in two knees (one patient), bacterial septic arthritis (one knee), malunited spontaneous fusion (one knee), and severe gout with 90° flexion contracture (one knee). The nail was inserted through an anteromedial entry point on the femur and full weightbearing was permitted immediately.
Results:
All knees had clinical and radiographic evidence of fusion at final follow-up and none required further surgery. Four of six patients ambulated without assistive device, and all patients reported improved overall physical function. There were no post-operative complications.
Conclusion:
The technique described utilizing the SIGN nail is both safe and effective for knee arthrodesis and useful for austere environments with limited fluoroscopy and implant options.
