Fracture fixation system

Abstract

A fracture fixation system is provided for the insertion of a fixation pin into the medullary canal of a fractured metacarpal, metatarsal, or phalangeal bone for stable bone fixation. The system includes one or more pins and an instrument for implanting the pins. According to one embodiment of the invention, the instrument includes a main handle and a pin handle movable relative to the main handle. The main handle includes a distal end, a drill coupled to the distal end, and a longitudinal slot which receives the pin handle. The drill includes a shaft having a distal boring tip and a groove proximal the boring tip for guiding the fixation pin. The pin handle is shaped and sized to slidably move within the longitudinal slot. Each pin preferably includes a curved, distal end. The distal end rests within the groove of the drill shaft. Movement of the pin handle within the slot of the main handle distally relative to the main handle causes the distal end of the pin to move relative to the drill shaft. In use, the main handle of the instrument is manipulated to subcutaneously introduce the drill into the metacarpal, metatarsal, or phalangeal base, and the pin handle is then moved relative to the main handle to introduce a pin into the bone until it extends through the medullary canal on either side of the fracture. Several pins may likewise be inserted to torsionally immobilization of the fracture.