The ball-less technique: A novel technique for the removal of a broken proximal femoral nail anti-rotation. A technical note.

OBJECTIVE

We describe a novel technique for removing broken intra-medullary femoral nails

METHODS

This technique involves the initial removal of the blade, screw at proximal femur, and proximal part of the broken nail. A hole is then drilled in the remnant nail and a cerclage wire passed into the hole. The distal interlocking screw is then removed, before removing the nail.

RESULTS

In these case studies, the nail was removed from the patients using the technique of drilling a hole into the remnant nail and passing a cerclage wire through for removal, without any complications.

CONCLUSION

The method described is easy, replicable, and requires only a steel drill, cerclage wires, nail extraction hook and slotted hammer.