A new method of distal blocking of intramedullary implants

Aim to assess the capabilities of the developed method and device for distal blocking of intramedullary implants. 
Material and methods. An experimental study on the tibia models was performed in the settings of the Department of Traumatology and orthopedics of the Voronezh State Medical University. The main group included 10 models on which the blocking was done using the developed method. In the control group (10 models) the "free hand" method was used. The study evaluated the following parameters: the duration of blocking, the time of X-ray exposure, the number of blocking attempts. 
Results. In the main group, the duration of distal blocking procedure was significantly shorter than in the control group (T-criterion = -36.0; p 0.05). The time of X-ray exposure in the main group was also less than in the control group (T-test = -30.2, p 0.05). The number of blocking attempts in the control group was higher than in the main group (U-criterion = 20, p = 0.02). In the main group, all screws were inserted at the first attempt. In the control group, drilling holes past the pin holes was noted. 
Conclusion. The developed method and the device for its implementation are universal. They can be used with most intramedullary pins and revision femoral components of a hip endoprosthesis, both cannulated and non-cannulated.