Suprapatellar Insertion System, Kit and Method

A method for inserting a securing a nail into a medullary canal of a bone, the bone defining a proximal end, and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end along the first direction, the method comprising:

• supporting a flexible sleeve with a retaining member, wherein the flexible sleeve defines a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from the leading end along first axis, a first cannulation extending between the leading and trailing ends along the first axis;
• coupling an insertion device to the intramedullary nail;
• and
• advancing the insertion device and nail into the first cannulation of the flexible sleeve so that the intramedullary nail is advanced into the medullary canal along the first direction.

A method for preparing a medullary canal in a bone for receiving an nail therein through a suprapatellar region of a leg, the method comprising:

• supporting a flexible sleeve with a retaining member, wherein the flexible sleeve defines a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from the leading end along first axis, a first cannulation extending between the leading and trailing ends along the first axis;
• inserting a rigid sleeve at least partially in first cannulation of the flexible sleeve, wherein the rigid sleeve defines a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from the leading end along second axis, a second cannulation extending between the leading and trailing ends along the first axis;
• and
• inserting the flexible sleeve and the rigid sleeve at least partially into the leg such that leading end of the flexible sleeve is positioned in alignment with the proximal end of the bone.