To evaluate the result of treatment of proximal femoral shaft fracture with limited open reduction and intramedullary nailing.

Fifteen patients who had limited open reduction and intramedullary nailing due to proximal femoral shaft fracture for follow-up for more than 12 months were selected between March 2001 and December 2005. The clinical and radiologic results were analyzed. Winquist-Hansen classification and OTA/AO classification were used.

Thirteen cases achieved bone union and 2 cases showed delayed union. The mean bone union period was 21.3 weeks (14~32). There was no postoperative infection. Nonunion was observed in 2 cases of which bone union was acquired with the exchange of intramedullary nail and bone graft in one case and with the additional plate fixation and bone graft in the other case.

Treating proximal femoral shaft fracture with limited open reduction and intramedullary nailing seems to be a technique to manage proximal femoral shaft fracture that has combined fracture or ipsilateral femoral fracture or is unable to acquire acceptable reduction with closed reduction.