Objective To evaluate the effect of limited open reduction in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures with intramedullary nail.Methods The clinical data of 39 patients with femoral shaft fractures in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery,Southern Medical University Xiaolan Affiliated Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were treated with intramedullary nailing.Among them,25 cases were treated with limited open reduction (observation group) and 14 cases were treated with closed reduction (control group).The operation time,fluoroscopy frequency,blood loss volume,infection rate and curative effect were compared between 2 groups.Results The 39 patients were followed up for 7 to 25 (10.3 ± 2.8) months.The operation time and fluoroscopy frequency in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group:(111.4 ± 20.3) min vs.(129.3 ± 21.4) min and (7.0 ± 2.6) times vs.(22.6 ± 7.8) times,but the blood loss volume was significantly higher than that in control group:(454.0 ± 131.4) ml vs.(342.9 ± 120.7) ml,and there were statistical differences (P＜0.05 or ＜0.01);there was no statistical difference in the infection rate and excellent/ good rate between 2 groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions Limited open reduction simplifies the operation steps,shortens the operation time,and has fewer fluoroscopy times and less X-ray time.It can achieve the same effect as closed reduction,and can be used as an effective supplementary means when closed reduction equipment and technology are deficient.