Which of the following statement(s) is/are true concerning the treatment of diaphyseal fractures?

a. The use of intramedullary rods allows early weight bearing and minimal immobilization

b. The infection rate using intramedullary fraction fixation devices is minimal

c. Results for the use of intramedullary rods are better for fractures of the femoral shaft than the tibia

Treatment for diaphyseal fractures (particularly tibial, femoral, and humeral fractures) uses intramedullary fracture fixation devices. The use of intramedullary rods allows early weight bearing and requires minimal immobilization of the joints above and below the fracture. Little long-term remodeling (loss of bone) has been documented. Rehabilitation is rapid, and blood loss is minimized. For simple transverse or oblique closed fractures, the infection rate is nearly zero. When used to treat segmented or comminuted fractures or other unstable fractures with proximal and distal bone loss, the interlocking allows for surgical reestablishment of the bone compartment and therefore limb length. The device can maintain length until the fracture is healed. Although this technique is the optimal treatment for most fractures of the femoral shaft, application of these same principles to the tibia has not resulted in such dependable results.