William Dominic Marley1, Adam Tucker1, Sean McKenna1, John Wong-Chung2. 1. Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Altnagelvin Hospital, Glenshane Road, Londonderry BT47 6SB, Northern Ireland, UK. 2. Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Altnagelvin Hospital, Glenshane Road, Londonderry BT47 6SB, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: johnwong@doctors.org.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Purpose of study was to compare nail alignment, incidence of stress riser and fracture with straight and curved nails of different lengths. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive, initially 13 straight and subsequently 15 curved nails implanted in 17 men and 11 women. Angles of incidence and reflection subtended by nail tip with inner tibial cortex were measured. Cortical hypertrophy was assessed on follow-up radiographs. RESULTS: Angles of incidence and reflection were greater with short straight nails, less with long straight nails and stayed close to zero with long curved nails. Stress fractures occurred in 2 patients with straight nails at the level of the proximalmost tibial screw. Cortical hypertrophy was present in 7 patients with straight nails and in only 1 patient with a curved nail (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both nail length and inbuilt valgus contribute to better central positioning within the tibia. However, cortical stress reactions occur less frequently with curved nails.
BACKGROUND: Purpose of study was to compare nail alignment, incidence of stress riser and fracture with straight and curved nails of different lengths. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive, initially 13 straight and subsequently 15 curved nails implanted in 17 men and 11 women. Angles of incidence and reflection subtended by nail tip with inner tibial cortex were measured. Cortical hypertrophy was assessed on follow-up radiographs. RESULTS: Angles of incidence and reflection were greater with short straight nails, less with long straight nails and stayed close to zero with long curved nails. Stress fractures occurred in 2 patients with straight nails at the level of the proximalmost tibial screw. Cortical hypertrophy was present in 7 patients with straight nails and in only 1 patient with a curved nail (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both nail length and inbuilt valgus contribute to better central positioning within the tibia. However, cortical stress reactions occur less frequently with curved nails.