Intramedullary Nailing of the Femur:Trochanteric vs Piriformis Starting Portals

Use of an antegrade intramedullary nail implanted through the Piriformis fossa of the femur. The use of these nails has yielded a union rate of 97 - 99%, and has clearly become the most commonly utilized implant for femur fractures.

Antegrade intramedullary nails developed with a proximal lateral bend that allows implantation through the greater trochanter rather than the piriformis fossa. This start portal is remarkably easier to locate and may be associated with decreased risk of abductor muscle weakness and pain.