Intramedullary nail fracture compression techniques: when and how to do it?

Fracture compression can be achieved in many ways intraoperatively using either screws in compression plates, compression devices, or using intramedullary nails. The use of locked intramedullary nails combines the advantages of indirect fracture fixation and compression with minimal soft tissue disruption. This article describes the technique, advantages, and limitations of the use of intramedullary nails for compression across fractures, nonunions, and joint arthrodeses.