L. Andrew Koman, MD, Mark J. Warburton, MD and Zhongyu Li, MD
The MICRONAIL® Intramedullary Distal Radius System can significantly reduce soft tissue complications and additionally function in a load-sharing mode to better resist bending. It is primarily designed for minimally-invasive fixation of extra-articular fractures and simple intraarticular fractures of the distal radius. It is particularly useful for treatment of patients who have failed non-operative treatment of such fractures and in osteotomies.
Three 2.5mm fixed-angle locking screws buttress the subchondral plate and secure the distal fracture fragment(s) to the nail. The distal screws are anatomically configured to approximate the radial inclination while the volar-dorsal angle divergence provides stable, three-point fixation. The distal screw heads are completely recessed below the surface of the nail. A 2.0mm hole located in the proximal body allows for temporary fixation using a K-wire during fracture reduction. Two 2.7mm self-tapping, bi-cortical, proximal screws resist shortening and angulation of the distal fracture fragment. The screws are placed through the proximal body of the nail while the low-profile head rests on the dorsal surface of the bone.
Limited surgical dissection and rigid fracture fixation allow for minimal postoperative immobilization. Preliminary clinical results show faster return of wrist function compared to previously published studies on conventional plating. This system is a valuable addition to the arsenal of distal radius fracture treatment options.
Material Covered
- Indications
- Contraindications
- Surgical Technique
- Avoiding Complications
- Postoperative Protocol
- System Features & Benefits
Specifications
- Total Run Time: 15:30 minutes
- Catalog Number: 3019
- VJO Publication Date: December, 2008