title: Retrograde intramedullary nailing of supracondylar femoral fractures.
abstract: As an alternative to standard AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation plate and screw techniques, retrograde intramedullary locked nailing of supracondylar and intracondylar (AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation Type 33) fractures is reviewed. This includes a historic review, the technique for knee arthrotomy, fracture reduction and nail insertion, and the reported clinical and biomechanical results. The retrograde intramedullary locked nail is a viable alternative for the treatment of AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation Type 33-A and some C supracondylar femoral fractures and should be part of the internal fixation armamentarium, however, it does not replace the standard biologic plate and screw techniques for most fractures.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Trauma Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York Hospital, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Helfet
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lorich
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans