OBJECTIVETo investigate the technique and clinical effect of interlocked intramedullary nailing through a single incision on the treatment of floating knee injuries.

METHODSThirty-eight patients of floating knee injuries included 25 male and 13 female with an average age of 35.6 years ranging from 17 to 52 years. All patients were treated by interlocked intramedullary nailing through a single incision. The clinical effect was evaluated postoperatively.

RESULTSThirty-eight cases were followed-up for 8.6 to 15.4 months with an average of 12.0 months. Thirty-seven cases gained bone healing and the time of fracture healing was from 2.7 to 6.9 months, with an average of 4.8 months. The nonunion of the distal femoral fracture was observed in 1 case with retrograde nailing, the revision operation was performed by plate and bone graft, and bony union was obtained. The results were excellent in 22 cases, good in 13 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of floating knee injuries with interlocked intramedullary nailing through a single incision brings less damage, low infection rate, good fracture healing. It is an effective method for treating floating knee injuries.