The Gamma Nail - Historical Background

Abstract

Since the beginning of modern therapeutic osteosynthesis, the goal of the surgeons at the Centre de Traumatologie et d'Orthopédie, in Strasbourg, France, has been to treat trochanteric fractures with early weight-bearing facilitated by stable and solid osteosynthesis. The different steps of the therapeutic approach that led to the development of the Gamma nail are described: osteosynthesis by nail plate, immediate valgisation, Küntscher's Y nail, the reversed Grosse and Kempf nail, and the Ender nail. In addition, earlier versions of the Gamma nail are described: the prototype; the first version, which used 16- and 14-mm nails; improvements, first with the 12-mm nail followed by the 11-mm Asiatic Pacific nail; the trochanteric nail, and, finally, the long Gamma nail. Along with these improvements, the instrumentation and the operative technique have also evolved.

Key words

Trochanteric fracture treatment - historical - nail plate - valgisation - Y nail - Ender nail - Grosse and Kempf nail - Gamma nail - development

References

• 1 Kempf I, Briot B, Jaeger J H. Valeur de la valgisation pour la mise en charge précoce des fractures trochantériennes du vieillard. A propos d'une série de 25 cas.  Rev Chir Orthop. 1975;  65 311-321
• 2 Kempf I, Dagrenat D, Karger C. Fractures de l'extrémité supérieure du fémur. Encyclopédie Méd. Chir. (Paris-France). Appareil locomoteur 14-076-A-10 1998; p 28
• 3 Kempf I, Grosse A, Taglang G, Favreul E. The Gamma nail in the treatment of trochanteric fractures. Indications and results, a study of 121 cases.  Rev Chir Orthop. 1993;  79 29-49