title: Closed interlocking nailing of the femur complicated by an intramedullary calcified lesion.
abstract: The interlocking intramedullary nail has greatly expanded the indications for closed intramedullary nailing of the femur. We describe a complication caused by the presence of a calcified lesion located at the proximal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the femur. This lesion could not be penetrated by hand reamers. We used a long 3.5-mm drill bit to place a hole in the infarct, which then allowed passage of the hand reamer. The operation then proceeded in the standard fashion without complications.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001858:Bone Nails; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications*; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005269:Femur / Q000098:blood supply; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*