title: The use of elastic nails for intramedullary fixation of humeral fractures and nonunions.
abstract: From May 1993 to January 1997, a total of 130 humeral fractures and nonunions were treated using an "elastic" unreamed nail. The elastic nail consists of a cylindrical proximal component tapered for the application of the impactor-extractor, distally containing the proximal ends of four or five secondary nails preloaded to diverge and held together by a retaining system. The surgical approach is through the olecranic fossa apex. Once introduced, the proximal end of the nail locks automatically by diverging the secondary nails in the proximal humeral epiphysis. Distally, the elastic nail is locked with a crossbolt. The elastic nail enables stable fixation of fractures or nonunions and allows early rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Bologna University, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Italy.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vicenzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Impallomeni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Landi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Surdo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome