Sign IM Nail and Interlocking Screw System Technique Manual page 31

Preparation of the nail
NOTE: See technique used in all approaches on page 11.
Insertion of the nail
Use tissue protector to keep the nail off
the skin. Push the nail in as far as it will
go. If the nail stops, tap the locking bolt
with small taps. Rotate the nail 10º after
4 taps, figure 2. The 1-1/2º bend at the
end of the nail helps keep the nail from
being caught in the canal. If the nail does Fig. 2
not advance with light taps, it is not in
the canal or it is too large. Never hit the
nail with heavy blows. This will cause
the nail to bend and make interlocking
difficult. Never hit the L-handle or you
will ruin the L-handle for interlocking.
Check reduction as the nail advances.
Allow the nail to rotate as the bend in the nail slides into the canal, never force rotation. Leave nail
2mm prominent above bone cortex, figures 3 and 4.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Note the difference in orientation of slots, figures 3 and 4. Both directions allow stable interlock.
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