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J Bone Joint Surg Br
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J Bone Joint Surg Br · May 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialReamed versus unreamed femoral nails. A randomised, prospective trial.
We performed a randomised, prospective trial to evaluate the use of unreamed titanium nails for femoral fractures. Of 48 patients with 50 femoral fractures 45 were followed to union; 23 with an unreamed and 22 with a reamed nail. The study was stopped early because of a high rate of implant failure. ⋯ Six implants (13%) failed, three in each group. Four of these six fractures showed evidence of delayed union. To achieve quicker union and fewer implant failures we recommend the use of reamed nails of at least 12 mm in diameter for female patients and 13 mm in males.