The CLOS MB intramedullary nail for the treatment of pathological femoral shaft lesions.

Advances in systemic and radiation therapy have led to considerable improvement in the prognosis of patients with metastatic disease. As a result, orthopedic surgeons are being asked with increasing frequency to evaluate and treat the manifestations of skeletal metastases. Intramedullary nailing is a valuable technique for stabilizing (impending) pathological femoral fractures or osteolytic lesions. From January 1999 to January 2001 we treated 5 patients for skeletal metastases in the diaphyseal region of the femur. One month after surgical stabilization of the pathological lesion involving the femur, we observed significant improvement in quality of life, including pain relief and early ambulation.