The femur is the longest bone in the body. It comprises a portion of the hip joint on the top of the bone and the at the bottom of the femur is the top of the knee joint.  The hip joint consists of important components of the femur, which can be injured including the head, neck, and greater and lesser trochanters of the hip joint. Distally it can involve the knee at the tibia (shin bone) and/or its articulation with the kneecap (patella).  The femoral shaft is tubular in structure and fractures to this bone are classified based off their regional position and the amount of damage.  There are several treatment options for femur fractures. Options include a total hip arthroplasty (ball and socket replacement) and hemiarthroplasty (ball replacement to the pelvic portion of the femur.) In addition, fractures at the hip joint (intertrochanteric or peritrochanteric fractures) can be successfully treated with indwelling or intermedullary nails and/or plates and screws.  Femoral shaft fractures to the mid portion of the long bone are oftentimes amenable through either antegrade or retrograde intermedullary nail fixation.  Retrograde fixation is defined as the nail entering and being passed up through a portal made in the knee joint.  Antegrade is passed through a strategic incision made in the top part of the femur around the hip joint to gain access.  These options will be fully described and explained by your physician. The ultimate decision will be made once all options are thoroughly discussed.