General Principles of Intramedullary Nailing for Long Bone Fractures

Abstract

Nailing of fractures of long bones is the mainstay of management today and perhaps will continue to be so. Though the basic general principles of nailing has remained the same from 1940s it has evolved to a considerable extent and the mechanical and biological aspects of bone healing is taken more into consideration. The entry points, the reaming, the length and width of the nail, to lock or not to lock and how to lock, the material used and more than all the importance of soft tissue encompassing the fracture are considered and debated. In short, we have dealt all these aspects and finally what counts is the final outcome of a good nailing, where the general principles are taken into account.