The intramedullary hip screw.

The intramedullary hip screw is a short intramedullary nail with interlocking screws that can be used to treat subtrochanteric and intertrochanteric femur fractures. This nail, which has the biomechanical advantage of being an intramedullary appliance but can be placed percutaneously, is inserted under fluoroscopic control with the patient on a fracture table. Reaming is not usually necessary. In an initial limited series, complication rates are comparable with existing techniques. Possible future concepts and developments are discussed.