New problems in old bones: closed nailing of the shaft of the femur.
Closed medullary nailing is now established as a routine treatment of fractures of the shaft of the femur. However, the quality of the bone in elderly patients is such that serious technical difficulties may arise during the operation. Three typical cases illustrate the problems that may occur and point the lesson that closed nailing in the elderly ought not to be undertaken by the inexperienced surgeon.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography