Fixation System Helps Mend Fractured Thigh Bones

An innovative nailing system provides new options for the surgical treatment of a wide variety of femoral shaft, subtrochanteric and impending pathologic fractures.

The DePuy Synthes (West Chester, PA, USA) Femoral Recon Nail (FRN) system is a state-of-the-art intramedullary nailing system comprised of titanium intramedullary nailing implants designed to provide stabilization of femoral shaft and neck fractures, as well as system specific insertion instruments. Nailing implants are offered in a range of dimensions and in left- and right-hand-oriented versions, which enable both Piriformis Fossa and a Greater Trochanter entry points for the insertion of the nailing implant into the femur, and locking options that accommodate varying preferences.


Radiolucent insertion handles aim to reduce surgical complexity and facilitate intraoperative and X-ray visualization, and assist with guide wire placement. In addition, the FRN system addresses a potential operative complication called distal cortical impingement, which is often the result of the curve of the patient's femoral anatomy being greater than the curve of the nail. The system has been specifically designed to improve anatomical fit by reducing the rate of nail curvature, so as to more closely match the patient's anatomy.

“DePuy Synthes has a long history of innovation in the hip and femur fracture repair market with a comprehensive portfolio of implants that address a variety of patient needs,” said I.V. Hall, global platform leader of DePuy Synthes Trauma. “This launch allows DePuy Synthes to offer the most comprehensive, best-in-class portfolio for hip and femur fractures as we continue to advance the standard of care for patients and improve the surgeon experience.”

“I believe the DePuy Synthes Femoral Recon Nail System offers the most streamlined insertion instruments on the market,” said professor of orthopedic surgery Pete Nowotarski, MD, of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine (Chattanooga, USA). “This system, coupled with the most advanced design features in both the piriformis fossa and greater trochanter entry points, offers greater versatility in treating complex femur fractures.”

An intramedullary nail is a metal rod forced into the medullary cavity of a bone so as to form a self-contained internal splint that stabilizes the fracture. This is often done for fractures of the tibia, femur, and humerus. Advantages include more exact alignment of the fractured bones for faster healing and earlier weight-bearing, earlier joint motion for reduced stiffness, and a more natural-like motion in uninjured muscles and neighboring joints.

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