title: A novel technique for accurate Poller (blocking) screw placement.
abstract: Achieving good results with intramedullary nailing of oblique long bone fractures at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction can be difficult. There is a strong tendency for axial displacement and an association with characteristic malalignment of the short fragment. Poller or blocking screws have been shown to be effective in aiding fracture reduction. While several papers describe methods for screw placement, these are confusing to understand, difficult to follow in clinical practice and not always applicable. Here we describe a new, simple, reproducible and easy to use method for ensuring accurate Poller screw placement, in order to maximise the benefits of their use and achieve good overall results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Andrew.hannah@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hannah
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aboelmagd
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hull
mesh_terms: D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Blocking screw; Intramedullary nail; Poller screw