Abstract

Spiral or comminuted fractures of the femoral shaft in the vicinity of a prosthesis in the elderly patient have been encountered with increasing frequency and may be very difficult to treat. The use of a combination of multiple nylon cerclage straps and plates as described by Partridge is a satisfactory alternative to either conservative treatment in traction or a metallic internal fixation. The authors report their experience with this method in a series of 6 patients aged 74 to 91 years. The surgical trauma was minimal, early mobilization was possible, and the fractures united at a normal rate with abundant periosteal callus.