THE PERFORATED CRUCIATE INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL: PRELIMINARY REPORT OF ITS USE IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS

Since the introduction of the intramedullary nail (1) in fracture fixation, this procedure has achieved acceptance and frequent use in open reductions. Particularly in the care of geriatric patients this method promised rapid mobilization of fractured limbs. Often the cvmbersome cast could be omitted. Early motion prevented the disuse atrophy and joint stiff enirig common with previous methods of fixation. Osteoporosis, the result of prolonged bed rest, was minimized and the incidence of thrombophlebitis reduced ( 2 ) . As clinical evidence accumulated, some difficulties and limitations of this method became apparent (3). It is our purpose to demonstrate a new perforated cruciate type of intramedullary nail which allows wider application, possesses several obvious advantages and has fewer limitations. The perforated cruciate nail can be inserted through a single incision over the fracture site and may be positioned without x-ray control a t operation.