Treatment of femoral shaft fractures with Grosse-Kempf intramedullary nail

Abstract

Ninety consecutive femoral shaft fractures in 87 patients treated by reamed Grosse-Kempf intramedullary nailing were reviewed. The median observation time was 45 months. The functional results were excellent or good in 82% of the fractures, fair in 16%, and poor in 2%. Four non-unions and two superficial infections were observed. Leg shortening of more than 2 cm was recorded in 2 patients. Rotatory malalignment exceeded more than 15 degrees in 2 patients. We conclude that reamed Grosse-Kempf intramedullary nailing is an excellent treatment for femoral shaft fractures. Although this study represents the first period during which we used the nail, the number of complications was acceptable.