title: Retrograde nailing for distal femur fractures in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report the results of treating a series of 56 fractures in 54 elderly patients with a distal femur fracture with a retrograde femoral nail.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four of the nails were inserted percutaneously with a closed reduction. After surgery all patients were allowed to weight bear as tolerated. Four fractures were supported in a temporary external splint.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 80.6 years (range 51-103 years), 52/54 (96%) were females. There were no cases of nail related complications and no re-operations were required. One patient was lost to follow up. The 30-day mortality was 5/54 (9.3%) and the one year mortality was 17/54 (31.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distal femoral nail fixation provides a good method of fixation allowing immediate mobilisation for this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate PE3 9GZ Peterborough UK.
authors.forename: Jasdeep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Giddie
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate PE3 9GZ Peterborough UK.
authors.forename: Seif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sawalha
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate PE3 9GZ Peterborough UK.
authors.forename: Martyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parker
keywords: Complications; Distal femur fracture; Mortality; Retrograde nail; Union