Journal of Orthopedics and Joint Surgery

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VOLUME 6 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2024 ) > List of Articles

CLINICAL TECHNIQUE

A Simple Technique to Locate the Nail Tip in a Buried Interlocking Nail in Femur while Extraction

Mugundhan M Sengodan, Yuganeswaran Marasamy

Keywords : Buried femur nail tip, Extraction, Innovative technique

Citation Information : Sengodan MM, Marasamy Y. A Simple Technique to Locate the Nail Tip in a Buried Interlocking Nail in Femur while Extraction. J Orth Joint Surg 2024; 6 (2):158-160.

DOI: 10.5005/jojs-10079-1144

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 14-06-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aims and background: At times, when interlocking nailing is done, the nail is buried into the medullary canal, and the nail tip is no longer visible. When the nail has to be extracted for some reason, the greater trochanter with abductor attachment has to be nibbled more than what is really necessary to locate the nail tip. Technique: We have found a simple technique to locate the nail tip, thereby reducing the chance of damage to the bone and soft tissue. So far, we have used this technique in eight cases. The mean operating time was 34 minutes. Number of mean fluoroscopic exposure was six. Conclusion: It is an easily reproducible technique without the need for any specialized instruments. Clinical significance: This new technique is very handy in the extraction of buried femoral nails without substantial injury to the abductor mechanism, even for inexperienced surgeons.


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