The application of a new fork interlo cking intramedullary nail for tibia l fracture / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To describe the design and application of a new fork interlocking in-tramedullary nail(FLN).Methods The anti-compression,anti-bendin g,anti-torsion and rigidity of the FLN were compared with those of recta ngle nail(RN),plum blossom nail(PBN),Ender nail(EN),GK nail(GK)and 8-hole plate biomechanically an d 169case of tibial fractures treate d with the FLN from September1998to May 2001were reviewed.Results The anti-compression,anti-bendin g,anti-torsion and rigidity of the FLN were similar to those of GK and significantly stronger than those o f RN,PBN,EN and 8-hole plate.Of 169cases,147were followed up for more than 3months.Among them,97nails have been removed.The average healing period was 19.6week s(11-31weeks)and the complications include 5exte rnal rotation deformities(from 10?to 15?),4valgus deformities,2varus deform ities,6shortening-displacements,16pain at the nail-entry points,1common peroneal nerve injury(healed 3months later)and 3delayed postoperative infection(1case one month later,2cases five mo nths later).The infection rate was 1.6%.Based o n Johner and Wruhs standard,the excellent ra te was 96.5%,fair 1.3%and failure 2.2%respectively.Conclusion1)FLN is an effective and convenient im plant to treat tibial fracture.2)In severely comminuted fractures an d distal shaft fractures,the distal h ole could be inserted with two transv erse screws similar to GK,which can widen its indication.[