Evaluation of tibial interlocking intramedullary nails

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lewis, Gladius

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Memphis, Campus Box 526576, Memphis, TN 38152-6576, USA

Abstract: Interlocking intramedullary nailing is currently the leading method of treating a wide assortment of tibial fractures. Satisfactory clinical performance of such a nail is interwoven with the mechanical characteristics (chiefly, static strength, fatigue strength, fatigue life and stiffness) of the nail-contiguous fractured bone construct. The present work reviews the open literature on these nails and the mechanical performance of the constructs. Based on the observations made in the review, areas for future work are identified and expounded upon.

Keywords: Tibial interlocking intramedullary nail, stiffness, strength

DOI: 10.3233/BME-1997-7504

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 315-325, 1997