Treatment of fractures of the femur with the Grosse-Kempf rod. 1985

J H Acker, and C Murphy, and R D'Ambrosia

Intramedullary rod placement provides excellent fixation for many fractures of the femur. It also carries a high union rate, a low infection rate, and a shortened hospital stay for the patient. Certain fractures of the femur are not suitable for fixation with a standard intramedullary and alone. Use of the Grosse-Kempf rod, with interlocking screws, allows for stable fixation for long oblique fractures, spiral fractures, comminuted fractures, segmental fractures, fractures with a butterfly fragment, and fractures located in the proximal or distal shaft of the femur. The Louisiana State University (LSU) Orthopedic experience in the use of the Grosse-Kempf rod is presented in this article. We have treated a total of 60 fractures of the femur in 58 patients with this fixation system. This series consists of 58 acute fractures, one established nonunion, and one established infected nonunion. All patients in the group of acute fractures and who have had adequate follow up and time have healed. This group consists of 29 healed fractures and four fractures which are healing, but have recently had the static screw removed. Eight patients were lost to follow up, two died of causes unrelated to the treatment, and 17 have been placed recently and have not had time to heal. There was one instance of wound infection in the acute fracture group, associated with the distal screws, but this has not required rod removal. The Grosse-Kempf rod provides the treating physician with another option in the treatment of fractures of the femur not suitable for use by the standard intramedullary rod. The procedure is difficult, but we have found it to be reliable in treatment of difficult fractures.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D001858 Bone Nails Rods of bone, metal, or other material used for fixation of the fragments or ends of fractured bones. Bone Pins,Bone Nail,Bone Pin,Nail, Bone,Nails, Bone,Pin, Bone,Pins, Bone
D005260 Female Females
D005264 Femoral Fractures Fractures of the femur. Femoral Fracture,Fracture, Femoral,Fractures, Femoral
D005594 Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary The use of nails that are inserted into bone cavities in order to keep fractured bones together. Intramedullary Nailing,Nailing, Intramedullary,Osteosynthesis, Fracture, Intramedullary,Fixation, Intramedullary Fracture,Fixations, Intramedullary Fracture,Fracture Fixations, Intramedullary,Intramedullary Fracture Fixation,Intramedullary Fracture Fixations,Intramedullary Nailings,Nailings, Intramedullary
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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