This surgery fixes a fracture of the femur. A metal rod is used to stabilized the large bone of the leg. Here's how it's done.
To begin, you're put to sleep. An incision is made in your thigh to reach the top of the femur. If the fracture has shifted any bone out of place, the surgeon realigns it.
The surgeon drills a hole down into the femur. A rod implant (called a "nail") is placed into this hole. It gives strength to the femur's shaft.
Next, a second incision is made. A hole is drilled through the nail and into the femur's neck and head. A long screw is threaded into this hole. A small screw is placed down through the top of the nail to lock these parts together.
Then, a third incision is made to reach a hole in the lower part of the nail. A screw placed through this hole secures the nail.
When the surgery is done, the top of the nail is closed with an endcap, and the incisions are closed. You're watched in a recovery room for a brief time. Follow your surgeon's tips as you heal.