[Interlocked intramedullary nailing of the femoral shaft]

Femoral shaft fracture is usually caused by significant trauma. Conventional treatment is surgical fixation with an intramedullary nail. The addition of interlocking screws has enabled control of rotation at the fracture site as well as the maintenance of correct femoral length. During 1987-1989 we operated on 21 patients with 22 fractures of the femur using the interlocked nail. All fractures had united after an average of 3 months, and the patients returned to normal activity after about a year. There was no mortality nor were there deep wound infections or neurovascular injuries. Complications were infrequent and consisted of pressure signs in the perineum, shortening of the femur and discomfort along the edges of the hardware. Our results support the use of the interlocked nail for femoral fractures when there is no other way to control femoral length or prevent rotation of the fractured elements.