Intramedullary rod

Intramedullary rod or Intramedullary nail is a metal rod forced into the medullary cavity of a bone. It is used to treat fractures of long bones of the body like the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone).

History

The concept of intramedullary rods was first introduced by the German surgeon, Gerhard Küntscher in 1939. He used this technique to treat soldiers with fractures in World War II.

Procedure

The procedure involves making a small incision near the site of the fracture and then inserting the rod into the marrow canal of the bone. The rod is then secured in place with screws at both ends. This helps to stabilize the fracture and allows the bone to heal in the correct alignment.

Advantages

Intramedullary rods have several advantages over other methods of fracture fixation. They provide strong, stable fixation of the fracture, allowing early mobilization and weight-bearing. They also cause less damage to the soft tissues around the fracture site, reducing the risk of infection and other complications.

Disadvantages

However, intramedullary rods also have some disadvantages. They can cause damage to the bone marrow, which can lead to problems with bone healing. They can also cause pain and discomfort, and there is a risk of infection and other complications.

Complications

Complications can include infection, nonunion (where the bone does not heal), malunion (where the bone heals in a deformed position), and hardware failure (where the rod or screws break or become loose).

See also

• Orthopedic surgery
• Bone fracture
• Bone healing

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