Closed Küntscher nailing: a clinical review after 20 years

A long-term study of patients treated by primary closed Küntscher nailing of fractures of the femoral shaft was carried out. Minimal reaming allowed nails of only 9.5-11 mm diameter to be used. One hundred and sixteen patients with 120 fractures treated in this way from 1959 to 1978 attended for clinical examination. Primary bony union was achieved in 98 per cent and the infection rate was less than 1 per cent. Full, unsupported weight bearing was possible at an average of 15.6 weeks. Symptoms and residual deformity were minimal. These results support the use of this technique in adults with most types of fracture of the femoral shaft.