Osteosynthesis of closed femoral shaft fractures by plate fixation: indications and results.

Osteosynthesis of fractures of the shaft of the femur by plating is not so widely used as intramedullary nailing. It does, however, have precise indications in certain situations that preclude the use of nails or render them inadvisable. The purpose of the present paper is to make a contribution to this aspect of the problem, the literature on which is by no means extensive. The results of forty-seven cases, performed on the basis of the writers' indications, are reported after a long term follow up period.