Breakage of the Grosse-Kempf nail: causes and remedies

Eleven cases of breakage of the Grosse-Kempf nail were observed in a series of 297 operations performed at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna. Seven of the 9 femoral nails were not the latest available model, which is capable of supporting more stress because areas of less resistance have been eliminated. However, breakage is still a possibility as a result of errors of technique and incorrect planning of weightbearing.