Summary
The commonly used straight intramedullary nail has certain limitations and disadvantages. Following radiographic and metallurgical studies we have developed a curved heat-treated clover-leaf nail using a newly developed precipitation hardening stainless steel (COP). The nail is bent with a slot on the convex side and the radius of curvature is 115 cm which corresponds to the anatomical antero-lateral convexity of the human femur. The nail has been satisfactory in clinical use since 1971 and has provided not only more stable internal fixation but also allowed fixation of fractures beyond the middle third of the shaft.
Résumé
Le clou droit intra-médullaire, d'usage courant, comporte un certain nombre de limitations et d'inconvénients. A la suite d'études radiographiques et métallurgiques, nous avons mis au point un nouveau clou courbe, en feuille de trèfle à la coupe, fabriqué avec un nouvel alliage nickel-chrome-cobalt (COP). Le clou est incurvé, avec un sillon sur sa face convexe et un rayon de courbure de 115 cm, correspondant à la convexité anatomique du fémur humain. Ce clou a été utilisé de façon satisfaisante depuis 1971, car il procure non seulement une fixation interne plus stable, mais permet également la synthèse des fractures situées au-dessous du tiers moyen de la diaphyse.
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Onoue, Y., Sunami, Y., Fujiwara, H. et al. Treatment of the femoral shaft fracture with a curved heat-treated COP clover-leaf nail. International Orthopaedics 3, 203–210 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265713
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265713