Importance

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treating fractures of the distal femur are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an intramedullary nail and blade. The intramedullary nail has a passage through a distal end for accepting a locking screw and a blade passage which extends through a proximal end of the intramedullary nail. The blade has a surface which when engaged with the femur resists relative rotation between the blade and femur and is also configured to cooperate with the blade passage to resist rotation of the blade with respect to the intramedullary nail. In accordance with a method, the intramedullary nail is extended into the medullary space of a femur from the distal end. The blade is positioned transversely to the intramedullary nail in a portion of the femur distal of the fracture. The blade is fixed, such as with a locking screw, to prevent axial movement relative to the intramedullary nail. A locking member is extended through the femur and the passage in the distal end of the intramedullary nail to fix the distal end of the intramedullary nail to the femur. In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes two blades for passage through the intramedullary nail, each blade when engaging the passage being freely moveable in the passage, but both blades when engaging the passage resisting rotation thereof with respect to the nail. A blade guide is also disclosed, the blade guide connectable to the nail. When connected, a passage through the blade guide aligns with the passage through the nail for use in a forming a passage in the femur into which the blade(s) are positioned. The guide is designed with a low profile, permitting full extension of the knee while the blade(s) is being inserted.

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First Claim