A new addition to the third-generation Gamma nail system

Brian K. Park, Mickey Plymale, Brian M. Capogna, Sun Jin Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The third generation Gamma trochanteric nail (Stryker Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ) is a commonly used device for internally fixing intertrochanteric fractures. Despite improvements made from the first and second generation Gamma trochanteric nail, the Gamma3 system has a high cut-out rate. To minimize cut-out, the U-blade (Stryker Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ) was designed as an addition to the Gamma3 system. We reviewed the literature regarding hip-screw cut-out, the Gamma nail, and the U-blade. We also report our operative technique and experience with the U-blade. Hip screw cut-out has been reported to occur in 2-8% of all patients receiving the Gamma3 trochanteric nail. A biomechanical study has reported that the addition of the U-blade decreases cut-out. Operative time is minimally affected, and the U-blade is easy to insert. The U-blade may reduce hip screw cut-out, but to our knowledge no clinical studies have been reported to show that it has lower cut-out rates than the current systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)280-283
Number of pages4
JournalCurrent Orthopaedic Practice
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Keywords

  • Gamma
  • Gamma3
  • Hip
  • Trochanteric nail
  • U-blade

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A new addition to the third-generation Gamma nail system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this