Closed locked intramedullary nailing in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures: a preliminary report

ABSTRACT

Closed locked intramedullary nailing was performed in fifteen femoral shaft fractures in fifteen male patients. Thirteen cases were simple closed fractures and only one case was infected, compound fracture treated primarily with external fixator. Static locking was employed in 12 cases and dynamic locking in 3 cases. Union and consolidation of the fracture occurred in 14 cases [93.3%]. The average mean time for consolidation was 3.6 months. Return of motion of hip and knee of the injured limb was restored completely in 13 patients usually before the end of the 5th month postoperatively. No patient had clinical evidence of thromboembolic disease or fat embolism syndrome. None of the patients developed deep infection or inequality of limb length