Impending or completed pathologic femur fractures treated with intramedullary hip screws

This study examined the use of the long intramedullary hip screw in 13 consecutive patients with metastatic disease of the femur with impending or completed fractures. There were 6 impending and 7 completed fractures. Eleven of 13 patients had unreamed rods placed with an average operative time of 100 minutes and blood loss of 280 cc. Eleven of 12 patients who were able to ambulate preoperatively regained that status postoperatively. Postoperative complications included death (1), myocardial infarction (1), and urinary tract infection (2). These results indicate the long intramedullary hip screw is a safe and effective surgical device for treating metastatic disease of the femur.