Self-guiding interlocking intramedullary nail.

Abstract

A critical step in closed interlocking intramedullary nailing is the insertion of the proximal and distal screws under fluoroscopic control. An intramedullary nailing system is described that does not require the use of direct fluoroscopic control for distal screw insertion. With the SG interlocking intramedullary nail, the location and fixation of the distal screw is achieved by keying in on a transversely placed guide pin, with imaging required only to confirm the alignment and final placement of the instrumentation.