Treatment of distal femoral fractures with intramedullary supracondylar nails in elderly patients

30 acute fractures of the distal femur in 29 elderly patients were treated with a Russell–Taylor intramedullary supra-condylar nail (IMSC). 26 of the 30 fractures (87%) united in 2–8 months. Two patients died before fracture union for reasons unrelated to the fracture. Two patients were reoperated upon, in one case the fracture was not adequately reduced at the first operation; in the other patient the nail broke 4 months after operation. In all patients knee flexion reached at least 90°. No infections or thromboembolic complications were seen. The IMSC nail provided the necessary stable fixation with only a few complications in this group of elderly patients without the need to prolonged immobilisation.