Elastic intramedullary nail

Unlike traditional plates placed externally on bones, intramedullary nails serve as an “internal support” positioned along the bone’s mechanical axis. This centralized fixation method minimizes the lever arm, providing exceptional resistance to bending and rotation. It allows patients to initiate functional exercises and partial weight-bearing early on, significantly accelerating recovery. Additionally, the procedure typically employs minimally invasive techniques, with insertion through small incisions distant from the fracture site. This approach maximally preserves blood supply and soft tissue integrity around the fracture, creating an optimal biological environment for bone healing. Consequently, the risk of infection and nonunion is significantly reduced.

Elastic intramedullary nail

The elastic intramedullary nail is a revolutionary internal fixation system specifically designed for shaft fractures of long bones in children. Its biologically compatible fixation provides sufficient elastic stability to maintain reduction while minimizing iatrogenic injury, representing a significant advancement in pediatric orthopedics.

Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing Surgical Techniqu

1,Contour both nails into a bow shape with

the nail tip pointingto the concave side of the bowed nail.

2,lower the awl to a 45° angle relative to the shaft axis andcontinue to penetrate the cortical bone at an upward angle.

3, Locate and maintain the entry hole with a fingertip while withdrawing the drill bit and introducing the nail.

4, Attach the locking slide hammer to the shaft of the hammer guide. Use controlled blows to drive the nail up the medullary canal.

Technical Specifications：

Advantages

1. Child-Friendly for Growth and Development: This is its greatest advantage. The procedure completely avoids the growth plates (epiphyses) at both ends of the bone, ensuring normal future bone growth without leaving any sequelae.

2. Perfect Biological Fixation: The periosteum is not stripped, maximally preserving the natural blood supply to the fracture ends and providing the optimal biological environment for healing.

3. Truly Minimally Invasive and Aesthetically Pleasing: Minimal surgical trauma, reduced bleeding, and mild pain result in only two nearly invisible small scars on the skin surface, enhancing psychological acceptance.

4. Permits Beneficial “Micro-Movement”: The micro-movement generated by elastic fixation stimulates callus formation, accelerating the healing process (known as “secondary healing”).

5. Efficient and Convenient: Short operative time, extremely low infection risk, and straightforward removal of internal fixation after fracture healing.

Clinical Applications

1. Mid-shaft fractures of long bones in children: Transverse or short oblique fractures of the femur, tibia, humerus, and radius/ulna are absolute indications.

2. Specific adult fractures: Such as simple fractures of the clavicle, radius/ulna of the forearm, etc.

3. Pathological fractures: Fixation of fractures caused by benign lesions such as bone cysts.

Conclusion

The advantage of elastic intramedullary nails lies not in providing steel-like, unbreakable fixation, but in their utmost respect for and protection of children’s growth biology. They embody the core therapeutic principle of modern pediatric orthopedics—“achieving optimal healing with minimal intervention”—and represent one of the preferred and most ideal techniques for treating pediatric long bone fractures.