Use of the Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail in femoral shaft fractures.

Of 242 patients with injuries treated by locked intramedullary nailing of the femur, 52 (22 percent) were considered suitable for insertion of the reconstruction nail. The Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail was found to be useful in a greater variety of fractures than those for which it was originally designed. In addition to ipsilateral neck and shaft fractures, the Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail proved successful in high-energy comminuted subtrochanteric fractures, elderly subtrochanteric fractures and pathological lesions. In two cases, problems were encountered due to the relative straightness of the nail, but in the remaining patients there were no technical problems. In the 43 elderly patients and those with pathological lesions, seven complications occurred: a number which compares favourably with published reports for extramedullary devices. There were no cases of implant failure and in all patients the device supported the fracture to union or death.