The first organized attempt to treat femoral and tibial fractures with elastic nails, probably was made by the Rush brothers [6] who designed and used successfully the nail that bears their name. However, their nails were soon subjected to severe criticism and mostly have not been accepted [8]. In contrast, the Ender elastic nails have been more fortunate and, in spite of their problems, are still being used for certain types of fracture [9].The contribution made by flexible intramedullary rods to callus formation in shaft fractures has been studied for many years [4]. Their numerous advantages, the most-comportant of which is undoubt-
Key wordsIntramedullary nailing´Marchetti nail´femoral fracture "124", 8.9.03/dk köthen GmbH Femur S 85