We used 15 pairs of femora from fresh human cadavers to study the effects of the size and location of the entry hole for an intramedullary nail on the strength of the femur. Right femora were used as controls. Left femora in group 1 had a 10 mm entry hole in the 'ideal' location in the piriformis fossa. Group 2 had a 14 mm entry hole in the same position and group 3 had a 14 mm entry hole anterior to this on the superior aspect of the femoral neck. Femora were equipped with strain gauges and loaded to failure in compression. There was reduced stiffness and load to failure in group 3 specimens, suggesting that the location of the hole was more important than its size.