Method to stabilize an intramedullary nail

A method for securing and stabilizing an intramedullary nail including an upper portion and a lower portion and including a circumference in a medullary canal including an upper portion and a lower portion of a fractured femur including a proximal cortex and a distal cortex and having an upper portion and a lower portion and a femur head comprises the steps of:

• preparing the medullary canal to receive the intramedullary nail,
• positioning the intramedullary nail in the medullary canal,
• positioning an alignment tool including a femur neck screw alignment bore, at least two stabilizer alignment bores and a locking screw alignment bore on the upper portion of the intramedullary nail;
• aligning a drill bit through the femur neck screw alignment bore and drilling a channel in the femur and a channel or hole through the intramedullary nail and into the femur head;
• securing the upper portion of the intramedullary nail within the upper portion of the medullary canal by a threading a femur neck screw through the channel formed in the femur and the channel or hole formed through the intramedullary nail and into the femur head,
• aligning a drill bit through the locking screw alignment bore and drilling a hole through the proximal femur cortex and a channel or hole through the lower portion of the intramedullary nail,
• securing the lower portion of the intramedullary nail within the medullary canal by threading a locking screw through the hole formed in the proximal femur cortex and the channel or hole formed in the lower portion of the intramedullary nail and into the distal femur cortex,
• aligning a drill bit through said at least two stabilizer member alignment bores and drilling a corresponding hole through the proximal femur cortex,
• selecting at least two stabilizer members each including a head having a central shaft extending outwardly therefrom wherein said entire shaft includes a proximal threaded shank portion and a distal non-threaded shank portion,
• inserting said central shaft of each said stabilizer member through the corresponding stabilizer alignment bore such that the stabilizer members are disposed apart in a spaced relationship around the circumference of the intramedullary nail and threading the proximal threaded shank portion of said central shaft of each said stabilizer member into the femur cortex until the distal non-threaded shank portion of said central shaft of each said stabilizer member engages a corresponding dimple formed in the circumference of the intramedullary nail adjacent said corresponding stabilizer alignment bore to secure each said stabilizer member against the circumference of the intramedullary nail to stabilize the intramedullary nail from movement,
• and removing the alignment tool from the upper portion of the intramedullary nail.