Intramerdullary canal diameter reducer background of the invention

A canal diameter reducer adapted to be placed within an intramedullary canal comprising an elongated block having a concave inner surface extending longitudinally of said block, said block being adapted to be placed in the intramedullary canal between an intramedullary member and the wall of the canal to prevent toggling and misalignment due to shear, said block being adapted to contact said intramedullary member with said concave inner surface.

A canal diameter reducer adapted to be placed within an intramedulary canal comprising a block having a convex outer surface which is provided with a series of projections for engagement with bone to prevent movement relative to bone, said block being adapted to be placed in the intramedullary canal between an intramedullary member and the wall of the canal with said series of projections in engagement with the wall of the canal, said block being adapted to engage said intramedullary member to prevent toggling and misalignment due to shear.

A canal diameter reducer adapted to be placed within an intramedullary canal comprising an elongated block having tapered ends and a longitudinally extending aperture sized for reception of a guide wire, said block also having at least one hole therethrough for attachment of a suture, said block being adapted to be placed in the intramedullary canal between an intramedullary member and the wall of the canal to prevent toggling and misalignment due to shear.

A canal diameter reducer adapted to be placed within an intramedullary canal comprising an elongated bock having tapered ends and a concave inner surface extending longitudinally of said block, said block having a convex outer surface, said tapered ends extending from said convex outer surface to said concave inner surface and tapering in such a manner as to cause the outer surface to extend longitudinally a greater distance than said inner surface, said block being adapted to be placed in the intramedullary canal between an intramedullary member and the wall of the canal to prevent toggling and misalignment due to shear, said block being adapted to contact said intramedullary member with said concave inner surface.

A canal diameter reducer adapted to be placed within an intramedullary canal comprising an elongated block having a concave inner surface extending longitudinally of said block, said block having a convex outer surface which is provided with a series of projections for engagement with bone to prevent movement relative to bone, said block having tapered ends which extend from said convex outer surface to said concave inner surface and taper in such a manner as to cause the outer surface to extend longitudinally a greater distance than said inner surface, said block having a longitudinally extending aperture sized for reception of a guide wire, said block also having at least one hole therethrough for attachment of a suture, said block being adapted to be placed in the intramedullary canal with said concave inner surface in contact with an intramedullary member to prevent toggling and/or misalignment due to shear.

A process for reducing the toggle and/or misalignment of a fracture fixed with an intramedullary member which comprises forming an entry opening in the fractured bone in the end of the bone leading into the intramedullary canal, inserting a block through the entry opening into the intramedullary canal to reduce the diameter of the intramedullary canal, and inserting an intramedullary member through the opening into the intramedullary canal to a position alongside said block.