The Use of a Magnetic Intramedullary Nail for Management of a Symptomatic Nonunion Following Shortening Osteotomy to Treat Leg-Length Discrepancy
Phillip T. Grisdela Jr, MD; Nishant Suneja, MD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

This is the case of a 31-year-old female with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and uveitis who presented with a leg-length discrepancy and low back pain refractory to conservative management. She underwent a shortening osteotomy on her left femur around an intramedullary nail that went on to nonunion.

She underwent exchange nailing with a magnetic intramedullary nailing with autologous bone graft harvest from her affected femoral reamings. The magnetic intramedullary nail was extended 2 cm prior to insertion, and then implanted in the usual fashion with immediate compression in the operating room. Postoperatively the patient underwent a compressive program using the magnetic nail and went on to heal her osteotomy site.