Medullary Fixation of Fractures of the Forearm

A Study of the Medullary Canal of the Radius and a Report of Fifty Fractures of the Radius Treated with a Prebent Triangular Nail

¹ Campbell Clinic and Foundation and the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis

The history of medullary fixation, particularly of the forearm bones, is briefly reviewed.

Results are reported of a detailed study of the size and contour of the medullary canal of 100 radii from cadavera.

Medullary nails triangular in cross section have been devised for the forearm bones. The nail for the radius is prebent in accordance with anatomical data, and is made of a metal tempered to the proper resilience and rigidity.

Results are reported for the first fifty patients in whom these nails have been used. Despite some early clinical errors, and despite some serious preoperative complications, there were fewer instances of malunion in this series than we have been able to obtain with closed methods, and fewer instances of non-union than have resulted from other methods of open reduction.

The technique of insertion and extraction of the nails is described, and the indications given for their use in diaphyscal fractures. The technique is exacting, and if not properly performed may produce complications.

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