Interlocking nailing of distal femoral fractures: 28 patients followed for 1-2 years

We treated 28 fractures of the distal femur with a Grosse-Kempf interlocking nail, and the patients were followed for at least 1 year. Five fractures did not unite, and the rest healed after 5 (3-7) months. Nail breakage was the most serious complication; and the more distal the fracture was, the more easily the nail broke. With the addition of a cast brace and protected weight bearing, a locked nail is a good type of fixation for distal femoral fractures down to 4 cm above the condyles.