Gary Ulrich¹* and David Rich²

¹Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
²Eclipse Orthopaedics LLC, Warsaw, IN, USA

*Corresponding Author: Gary Ulrich, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.

Received: July 18, 2023; Published: July 29, 2023

Abstract

Distal locking during intramedullary nailing of long bone fractures remains a challenging part of this procedure, especially for novice surgeons. The conventional freehand method has been the mainstay for the placement of distal locking screws. However, the conventional freehand method possesses the disadvantages of additional radiation exposure as well as increased operative time and inaccuracy for the inexperienced surgeon. Numerous technology adjuncts have been developed to improve upon the distal locking technique during the intramedullary nailing of long bone fractures. In this review, we discuss the common technology that has been designed to facilitate the placement of distal locking screws, which include electromagnetic navigation systems, computer-assisted/robotic systems, laser guiding systems, the flag and grid technique, proximally mounted targeting devices, and self-locking nailing systems.

Conclusion: Calcaneal Fractures; Minimally Invasive; Sinus Tarsi Approach.

Keywords: Intramedullary Nailing; Distal Locking Screws; Accuracy; Radiation Exposure; Operative Time

References

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Citation

Citation: Gary Ulrich and David Rich. “Distal Locking of Intramedullary Nailing: Current Technology to Improve Accuracy, Radiation Exposure, and Operative Time".Acta Scientific Orthopaedics 6.8 (2023): 113-117.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2023 Gary Ulrich and David Rich. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.