What should you know about a femoral intramedullary nail?

The nail sits within the marrow canal of the femur and is commonly secured with locking screws. This internal support can help maintain alignment while controlled loading and rehabilitation are planned. The exact approach depends on the fracture's location, pattern, soft-tissue injury, and your general health.

The implant is not a replacement for the bone. Healing still requires follow-up examinations and imaging when advised. Pain around the knee, hip, or fracture area can occur during recovery, and muscle weakness may persist until strength and movement return.

Follow the surgeon's instructions about weight-bearing, wound care, medicines, and exercises. Use crutches or a walker as taught, keep follow-up appointments, and increase activity only as your team allows. Physiotherapy may address hip and knee movement, thigh strength, balance, and a safe return to work or sport.

Ask whether the implant should remain in place and what symptoms would change the rehabilitation plan. Further reading: [Intramedullary Nail](/materials/intramedullary-nail/) and [Fracture Fixation Surgery](/treatments/trauma-and-fracture-care/fracture-fixation-surgery/).

Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing wound redness, drainage, fever, worsening pain, new numbness, or a sudden loss of function. Seek urgent care after chest pain or breathlessness, or if the leg becomes suddenly very swollen, cold, pale, or severely painful.

Ask: What type of fracture does the nail support? How much weight can I place on the leg? Which exercises are safe now? How will healing be checked? When should hardware removal be considered, if at all?