Removal of a broken cannulated tibial nail: a simple intramedullary technique.

We present a case illustrating the extraction of a distal segment of a broken cannulated tibial nail. Using minimal soft tissue dissection, a ball-tipped guidewire is inserted through the medial malleolus. It is then threaded through the distal aspect of the broken nail. The guide wire is advanced further proximally out the standard knee incision. When the ball tip engages the end of the broken nail, it can be removed easily.