Internal Fixation of Radial Head Fractures with an Intramedullary Nail

Comminuted fractures of the radial head still present signi ̄cant technical and surgical challenges. In this article, we describe a novel ̄xation of comminuted radial head fractures with the help of an intramedullary nail. Experiments with solid, conventionally machined intramedullary nails showed some major drawbacks in the ̄xation of radial head fractures. Several design and manufacturing procedures were proposed. The general idea behind the new design was the concept of a nail which would eliminate the need for prefabricated bores. Experiments with a selective laser sintered thin-walled nail, designed with the help of CT images, ful ̄lled expectations. This thin-walled proximal radius nail thus o®ers a stable ̄xation of the radial head fracture fragments, with the ability to preserve the existing vascular supply to the radial head fragments, and therefore not just use the reconstructed radial head as a bioprosthesis.