Open adult femoral shaft fracture treated by early intramedullary nailing

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Grosse A. Christie J. Taglang G. Court-Brown C. McQueen M. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery - British Volume. 75(4):562-5, 1993 Jul. In two hospitals, 115 consecutive open femoral shaft fractures were treated by meticulous wound excision and early locked (97) or unlocked (18) intramedullary nailing. All the fractures united; union was delayed in four, three of which required bone grafting. The average range of knee flexion at follow-up was 134 degrees (60 to 148). Five patients had a final range of less than 120 degrees, but three of these improved after manipulation under general anaesthesia. Three patients developed staphylococcal infections and required further surgical treatment. All eventually healed.