Abstract
The rigid internal fixation of the femoral shaft fracture with intramedullary nailing enables early joint motion and reduces morbidity.
The authors reviewed the results of 38 patients treated with Ender nailing(22 casses) and interlocking intramedullary nailing(16 cases) between March 1989 and March 1994.
The resuls were as follows.
1. The average bony union time in Ender nailing(18.9 weeks) was similar to interlocking intramedullary nailing(18.7 weeks).
2. The average time to acHieve full range of motion of the knee was shorter in intramedullary nailing (10.2 weeks) than in Ender nailing(13.5 weeks).
3. Interlocking intramedullary nailing required shorter time to achieve full weight Ender nailing.
4. The average operation time was shorter in Ender nailing(55 mins.) than in interlocking intramedullary nailing(100 mins).
Interlocking intramedullary nailing is thought to be a better option than Ender nailing in fixa lion of femur shaft fracture by our study. However, in elderly patients or multiple injured patieilts, Ender nailing can be used advantageously for shorter operation time and technical sim plicity.