Surgical nail

An intramedullary nail comprising:

• an elongate body having a longitudinal central axis and an outer surface;
• at least one transverse bore extending transversely to the central axis, the transverse bore having a cross-section F and expanding towards the outer surface of the nail to form at least one depression in the outer surface of the nail;
• an insert configured and dimensioned for insertion into the transverse bore, the insert having a longitudinal axis, a central bore formed along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of projections provided on an outer surface of the insert for engaging the nail body adjacent to the transverse bore and holding the insert in position within the transverse bore
• wherein the insert is formed of a material m having a modulus of elasticity e less than the modulus of elasticity E of the nail.

A method for repairing bone fractures comprising:

• introducing an intramedullary nail within the medullary canal of a bone, the intramedullary nail having an elongate body with a longitudinal central axis and at least one transverse bore extending transversely to the central axis, the transverse bore having a cross-section F and a transverse axis;
• inserting an insert into the transverse bore of the nail, the insert having a longitudinal axis, a central bore formed along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of projections provided on an outer surface of the insert for engaging the nail body adjacent to the transverse bore and holding the insert in position within the transverse bore;
• and
• introducing a fixation element through the central bore of the insert and the transverse bore of the nail to lock the nail in position.
• wherein the insert is formed of a material m having a modulus of elasticity e less than the modulus of elasticity E of the nail.