Interlocked nailing for treatment of segmental fractures of the femur.

Abstract

Thirty-three segmental fractures of the shaft of the femur were treated with the Grosse-Kempf interlocking nail. Twenty-eight of the fractures had been caused by high-energy trauma. There were twenty-six closed and seven open fractures. Thirty-two of the thirty-three fractures united, at an average of thirty-two weeks, without additional intervention other than dynamization of the nail. There were one non-union, one delayed union, and two malunions. Virtually all fractures located between the lesser trochanter and the femoral condyles can be nailed, regardless of the pattern of the fracture or the degree of comminution. Closed interlocked nailing is the treatment of choice for most segmental fractures of the shaft of the femur.