Blocking screws: an adjunct to retrograde nailing for distal femoral shaft fractures.

PURPOSE. To review records of 11 patients who underwent retrograde nailing in conjunction with blocking screws to aid fracture reduction for distal femoral shaft fractures. METHODS. Records of 8 men and 3 women aged 27 to 60 (mean, 41) years who underwent retrograde nailing with the use of blocking screws for distal femoral shaft fractures were reviewed. Two of the fractures were open and graded as Gustilo-Anderson grade II. The mean surgical delay was 2 (range, 1-5) days. RESULTS. All fractures united after a mean of 14 (range, 11-16) weeks without malalignment. There was no screw breakage, screw bending, or wound infection. CONCLUSION. Blocking screws increase the stability of the construct and thereby minimise macro-motion at the fracture site.