title: Instances in which intramedullary nailing of a child's fracture is justifiable.
abstract: Two cases of fractures of the femur in childhood where internal fixation was indicated are described. Internal fixation of children's fractures is rarely justifiable (Blount, 1955), partly because of the rarity of non-union and partly because moulding usually corrects what may at first have been unacceptable deformity. Among the methods of internal fixation, Küntscher nailing for fracture of the shaft of a child's femur may seem to be the most difficult to defend. Nevertheless, there are occasions when it becomes necessary, although it might have been possible to avoid the operation by better care at the time.
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006617:Hip Dislocation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography