Summary
A modular titanium intramedullary rod has been designed for resection/arthrodesis of the knee using a curved femoral and straight tibial rod joined together with a conical press-fit taper joint. Rods of 11-mm, 13-mm, and 15-mm diameter can be joined in any combination to accommodate the dissimilar intramedullary canal diameters. The conical press-fit joint is designed with a 4° taper with equilaterally spaced locking screws to prevent distraction and rotation. Titanium was selected for construction because of its favorable modulus of elasticity and fatigue characteristics.
The rod has been used in 42 patients selected for resection/arthrodesis or arthrodesis of the knee. Twenty-three patients have been followed for a minimum of 2 years without evidence of mechanical failure of either the rod or the conical press-fit couple. The use of a modular titanium intramedullary rod system for internal fixation of the knee would appear to provide adequate fixation and superior flexibility of application, offering an attractive option to a one-piece stainless steel design.
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References
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© 1989 Springer-Verlag Tokyo
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Neff, J.R. (1989). Experience in the Use of a Custom Modular Titanium Intramedullary Rod in Resection/Arthrodesis of the Knee. In: Yamamuro, T. (eds) New Developments for Limb Salvage in Musculoskeletal Tumors. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-68072-7_40
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-68072-7_40
Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo
Print ISBN: 978-4-431-68074-1
Online ISBN: 978-4-431-68072-7
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