Thirty-three segmental fractures of the shaft of the femur were treated
with the Grosse-Kempf interlocking nail. Twenty-eight of the fractures had
been caused by high-energy trauma. There were twenty-six closed and seven
open fractures. Thirty-two of the thirty-three fractures united, at an
average of thirty-two weeks, without additional intervention other than
dynamization of the nail. There were one non-union, one delayed union, and
two malunions. Virtually all fractures located between the lesser
trochanter and the femoral condyles can be nailed, regardless of the
pattern of the fracture or the degree of comminution. Closed interlocked
nailing is the treatment of choice for most segmental fractures of the
shaft of the femur.