Fracture of the femur usually takes about 2 to 3 months to heal. But pain from the nail insertion site or knee may continue in some cases. You need to strengthen your abductors, quadriceps and hamstrings, and knee range of motion. once the fracture has healed on radiographs as well as clinically, and even then the pain continues, you may opt to get the nail removed. removal of hardware is a seperate operation, but will helps in many cases to relieve pain.