The Rationales of Interlocking Nailing of the Femur, Tibia, and Humerus

Abstract

Interlocking nailing has been increasingly used to treat acute and chronic afflictions of long bones. Although the interlocking construct is similar, regardless of the anatomic area of application, the results and complications of this type of fixation in the femur, tibia, and humerus differ. This review compares the anatomy, biologic response to injury, and functional expectations of these 3 distinct long bones with respect to interlocking nailing. Final results seem related more closely to the bony anatomy and soft tissue injury than to any inherent success of interlocking techniques.