NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN STABILIZATION OF DIAP HYSEAL AND METAPHYSEAL LONG-BONE FRACTURES

Nail, plate and external fixator are since decades the most frequently and stabilizers for the surgical treatment of dia- and metaphyseal fr actures. These elements are still present today. However, there were i mportant changes in recent years. Together with better knowledge and u nderstanding of fracture healing, fracture biology, implant metallurgy and mechanics and a more and more specified application of these tech niques, this resulted in improved possibilities for the treatment of i njured patients. Beside an overview about the current discussion of un reamed and reamed nail insertion new trends, techniques and nails are presented for the differ ent long bones (retrograd nails, spiral blade , flex-nail humerus and a distal aiming device (DAD) for interlocking screws). In addition, new approach techniques for nailing (stab incisi on) and minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) fo r metaphyseal fractures of the proximal and distal femur and proximal tibia are described including the necessary techniques for central of axes and rotation.