ALIGNMENT MEANS FOR INSERTING GUIDE WIRE PRIOR TO INSERTING HIP NAIL FOR A FRACTURED HIP

摘要

The alignment means includes three novel structures for correctly placing a hip nail in the rounded head of the femur for fracture of the hip. In the use of these structures, a new method of inserting a guide wire in a bone is disclosed. One of the aids is a specially prepared side plate attached to the movable arm of a modified Lowman clamp which is used to designate the correct position for drilling an entrance hole in the lateral cortex of the femur to accommodate the nail and guide wire. Another aid is a wire guide which directs the exploratory wire across the fractured area. The guide wire is used to direct the nail to its best supporting position, and the third is the use of the lesser trochanter as the reference point for the attachment or contact of the instrument, so that the instrument may be used and the procedure performed.