Breakage of a re-activated PRECICE® nail: A case report

Distraction osteogenesis using motorized nails have shown promising results. These high-priced nails are regularly removed following successful lengthening sessions. The internal lengthening mechanism inside such nails is presumably intact and perhaps capable of running additional lengthening. Motorized nails are relatively weaker than conventional nails. This case report presented a broken re-activated PRECICE nail which has not been previously reported.

A 21-year-old male patient with right short tibia. He has completed an uneventful lengthening session using tibial PRECICE® nail. A residual length discrepancy persisted despite 4 cm length gain. Attempt of re-lengthening was conducted utilizing the pre-implanted PRECICE® nail. The re-lengthening session run smoothly throughout distraction phase. Late in the consolidation phase, partial nail breakage occurred. The patient acknowledged intermittent gentle weightbearing against the physician's recommendations. The broken nail was removed on emergency basis. Cast immobilization with non-weightbearing continued until achievement of full consolidation clinically and radiographically.

Most of commercially available lengthening motorized nails are considered less rigid compared to conventional nails and hence more susceptible to deformation and metal failure. However, nail breakage has been reported in both conventional and lengthening nails. Re-activation of PRECICE nail for additional lengthening session could carry higher risk of breakage.

Possibility of nail breakage may be higher in re-activated PRECICE® nails relative to newly implanted PRECICE® nails. More studies are required to evaluate behavior of re-activated lengthening nails. Defective lengthening nails must not be re-activated. The patient compliance is essential for successful re-activation of lengthening nails.