Intramedullary Nail

Abstract

A versatile intramedullary nail is constructed in two cooperating and optionally interlocking pieces, with a further optional annular restoration hub. The two cooperating pieces, when interlocked, approximate a long shaft, generally tubular in cross-section, with a recessed area on the male piece adapted to receive the annular restoration hub. The female piece is adapted to receive the flange of the male piece coaxially, and—unless a locking screw or bolt is inserted through the flange—the two pieces can rotate axially. Alternatively, the nail can be constructed of a single solid piece.

1 . A two-piece intramedullary nail having a first piece and a second piece, wherein at least one piece has a curved end surface and further wherein said first piece bears an axial hinge post which concentrically engages an axial hinge receptacle in said second piece, and further wherein each of said first piece and said second piece have at least one anchor hole therein. 
     
     
         2 . The two-piece intramedullary nail according to  claim 1 , wherein said second piece has an anchor which extends into and through said axial hinge receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The two-piece intramedullary nail according to  claim 1 , wherein said first piece has a hub core comprising a narrower shaft portion adjacent said axial hinge post. 
     
     
         4 . The two piece intramedullary nail according to  claim 3 , wherein said hub core contains two-hub core anchor holes. 
     
     
         5 . The two-piece intramedullary nail according to  claim 4  wherein said first piece is a distal stem bearing two distal stem anchor holes and said second piece is a free proximal stem bearing two free proximal stem anchor holes in addition to said axial hinge anchor hole. 
     
     
         6 . The two-piece intramedullary nail according to  claim 5  wherein a third piece comprising a restoration hub capsule is placed over said hub core. 
     
     
         7 . The two-piece intramedullary nail according to  claim 6  wherein said restoration hub capsule contains at least one restoration hub capsule anchor hole. 
     
     
         8 . The two-piece intramedullary nail according to  claim 7  wherein said restoration hub capsule has two interior diameters to match the dimensions of said distal stem and said hub core. 
     
     
         9 . A single-piece intramedullary nail wherein said nail has at least one curved end surface and further wherein either or both ends bears at least one anchor hole therein, wherein in operation said nail may be anchored only at one end so as to rotate axially within the bone at said at least one curved end.