Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical device used to repair intertrochanteric fractures of the femur and a method for inserting and using the same which includes in cooperation a hip screw, a gliding mechanism, an intramedullary nail, and a compression screw. The hip screw includes along a longitudinal axis an externally threaded portion as a bone screw for threadable insertion into the head of the femur and a hollow barrel portion, the barrel portion having a pair of opposed slots provided therein along the longitudinal axis of the hip screw. The hollow barrel portion optionally further includes internal or female threads within the barrel portion near the end of the hip screw opposite the bone screw for threadably engaging a compression screw. The gliding mechanism is retained within the barrel portion of the hip screw with a slidable fit and provides for lateral movement of the intramedullary nail along the longitudinal axis of the hip screw. The hip screw and the intramedullary nail are retained by the gliding mechanism at either a fixed angle of the intramedullary nail relative to the hip screw or a variable angle. The intramedullary nail is affixed to the gliding mechanism, as for example with a set screw or locking screw, to prevent relative motion between the gliding mechanism and the intramedullary nail. Upon securing the gliding mechanism to the intramedullary nail, in turn the hip screw and the intramedullary nail are affixed to one another, but due to the slidable fit of the gliding mechanism within the barrel of the hip screw and due to the slots in the hip screw, movement of the gliding mechanism/intramedullary nail assembly along the longitudinal axis of the hip screw can occur as the gliding mechanism glides within the barrel portion of the hip screw.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim