Treatment of pathologic fractures of the long bones from metastatic and primary cancer

Internal fixation is a safe and effective method of treating pathologic fractures of long bones due to cancer. It is also a useful method of preventing fractures in bones that are in imminent danger of fracturing. Some of the difficulties encountered at the time of surgery are discussed. In no case did internal fixation increase the spread of cancer; however, the short life expectancy of these patients is emphasized. The nursing management of the patients was greatly facilitated as most patients with fractures of the lower limb were made more mobile whereas patients with fractures of the upper limb were made ambulatory almost immediately.