Medicine
Principles of Traction and Fixation in Femoral Shaft Fractures
Quick fact
While traction was the standard of care for femoral shaft fractures for over a century, today intramedullary nailing is the gold standard, allowing patients to walk within days instead of months of bed rest.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard of putting a broken leg in traction, but why do surgeons now prefer sticking a metal rod inside the bone?