Biomechanics of femoral interlocking nails

Today there is a variety of different interlocking intramedullary nail designs available for the femur. We compared different nail types in the bone implant complex (BIC) of four unreamed solid nails and a slotted reamed nail with simulated comminuted mid shaft fractures to see if there are major differences in stiffness for axial load, bending and torsion. The fractures were simulated by a 2 cm defect osteotomy in paired human cadaver femora. Each bone was tested intact in a universal testing machine, osteotomy and osteosynthesis were performed, and the BIC was tested. Relative stiffness was calculated. In torque testing the unslotted solid nail showed significantly more stiffness (0.6–1.8 Nm/°) compared to the slotted nail (0.2 Nm/°). Compared to intact bone (6.9 Nm/°), both groups of nails were significantly less stiff (relative stiffness 2–20%). In axial load and bending testing the large diameter unreamed nail showed significantly higher stiffness (32–68%). This study shows that stiffness of bone implant complex in interlocking femoral nails is more dependent on nail profile than on the pressfit of nails in the medullary canal.