Postoperative restoration of muscle strength after intramedullary nailing of fractures of the femoral shaft.

The maximal isometric muscle strength of hip abduction, knee extension and knee flexion was measured in 23 patients operated on for femur diaphyseal fractures and fitted with a stable intramedullary Küntscher nail after reaming of the medullary cavity. The trauma, the immobilization and the surgery influenced the musculature of the operated as well as the intact leg. The muscle power recovered in a couple of years, but even after 2-6 years a significantly reduced power was found in the knee extensors, and a probably significant reduction in the power of the knee flexors in the operated leg when the two legs were compared. Malrotation of the fracture seemed to adversely affect the recovery of muscle power.