The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Oct 1981
Closed intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures. A review of one hundred and twelve cases treated by the Küntscher technique.
Since May 1972, the standard treatment of femoral shaft fractures at the Western General Hospital has been the closed femoral nailing technique of Küntscher. We have found that the use of intraoperative skeletal traction eliminates the need for immediate operation, preoperative skeletal traction, or the use of a distraction apparatus to prevent preoperative shortening. ⋯ One hundred and twelve consecutive traumatic fractures of the femoral shaft treated in this manner united within three to six months. The clinical results in terms of early joint movement, early weight-bearing, and rapid discharge from the hospital have been excellent.