Finite element analysis of a Gamma nail within a fractured femur

Failures of Gamma nails which treat unstable femoral fractures have been re ported. In this paper, a finite element model to include a Gamma nail withi n a fractured femur was used to investigate the stresses in the Gamma nail. The effects for different types of fracture were investigated. The results show that its use for subtrochanteric fractures will cause higher stresses at the lag screw and upper distal screw insertion holes in the nail than w hen used for femur neck fractures. (C) 1999 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.