Medical Terminology for Femoral Rod Placement
The medical term for placing a rod in the femur for stability is "intramedullary nailing" or "intramedullary rod fixation." 1
Specific Terminology Based on Location and Type
The precise terminology varies depending on the location of the fracture and the specific device used:
Femoral Shaft Fractures
- Intramedullary nailing is the standard term for rod placement in the femoral diaphysis (shaft) 1, 2
- This can be performed as either locked intramedullary nailing (with interlocking screws) or unlocked intramedullary nailing (without screws) 3, 4
- The procedure may be done using closed intramedullary nailing (without opening the fracture site) or open intramedullary nailing (with direct visualization) 2, 5
Proximal Femur (Hip Region) Fractures
- Cephalomedullary nailing refers specifically to intramedullary rods that extend from the femoral head/neck region down through the shaft 1
- This term is used for intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, and reverse oblique fractures 6
- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons uses "cephalomedullary nail" or "cephalomedullary rod" as the standard terminology 1
Pathologic Fractures (Cancer-Related)
- The same term intramedullary nailing applies when stabilizing femoral metastases or pathologic fractures 1
- May be specified as locked intramedullary nailing when interlocking screws are used to prevent rotation and telescoping 1, 3
Common Clinical Context
Intramedullary nailing is the preferred method for treating femoral shaft fractures because it provides stable fixation with high union rates and low complication rates 2. The procedure involves inserting a metal rod into the medullary canal (the hollow center) of the femur to provide internal support and alignment 2, 3.
The term "rod" is colloquial—the formal medical device is called an intramedullary nail, though both terms are used interchangeably in clinical practice 1, 2.