Distal locking of short cephalomedullary nails decreases varus collapse in unstable intertrochanteric fractures – a biomechanical analysis

•In capacious femoral canals (Dorr C), unlocked short cephalomedullary screws show increased varus collapse.•There is no difference in varus collapse in narrow or capacious femoral canals with locked short cephalomedullary screws.•Specific patients with osteoporotic bone may benefit from distal cross-locking of short cephalomedullary nails.