SINART - A New Retrograde Intramedullary Nail

Introduction

Retrograde intramedullary nailing is increasingly establishing itself as state of the art osteosynthesis in femoral fractures. The easier access to the femur, especially in adipose patients, the easier reposition and the use in distal fractures are advantageous. A disadvantage is the necessity to explant the nail through the knee. Thereby we leave an osteochondral lesion in the notch of the knee. Besides, a fluoroscopy is necessary to fix the proximal interlocking screw.

That is why we constructed a new retrograde intramedullary nail that includes the following innovations:

During implantation the nail is inserted into the medullary canal beyond the great trochanter, so that a proximal aiming device can be used (rendez-vous manœvre). The nail is removed through the proximal approach (no second arthrotomy). Therefore the distal opening can be closed with the osteochondral cylinder that has been taken out before.