Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The humeral auto-locked intramedullary nail, designed by Yanan Hospital of Kunming Medical University, exhibits several advantages over previous domestic locked intramedullary nails. However, anterograde screwing-type intramedullary nail and traditional auto-locked intramedullary nail induce rotator cuff injury and dysfunction of shoulder joint. Retrograde intramedullary nail solves these problems.
OBJECTIVE: To improve the retrograde intramedullary nail based on humeral bone dissection to benefit clinical application.
METHODS: According to humeral bone anatomic characteristics, related biomechanical tests were performed using humeral samples from corpse. Retrograde intramedullary nail was used to treat 73 patients with fracture of humerus. The resistance of axial compression, extension, torsion, blending were compared, and clinical effects were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The retrograde intramedullary nail exhibited advantages in resisting axial compression, extension, torsion, and blending compared with previous existed nails (P < 0.01). The patients were followed up for 3-48 months, and healed well. No infection, nail breakage, or loosening occurred. Results showed that the advanced retrograde intramedullary nail is reasonable in biomechanical tests, with simple operation, few complications. It should be used widely in clinic.