Stryker Gamma3 Nailing System

*DISCLAIMER: I do not work or have any relation to STRYKER. I am an independent Non Medical Professional conducting my own research*

The Stryker Gamma3 Nailing System is treated for a wide range of Femur and Femoral Shaft Fractures. 

Their are Four variations of the Gamma3 Nailing System

1. Trochanteric Nail 
2. Long Nail 
3. RC Lag Screw
4. Distal Targeting System.

The G3 Nailing System is the result of 25 years of continuous innovation.

Surgeons and medical professionals use the Gamma3 Nailing System over the competition because of its Reliability, Stability and Precision. 

The Trochanteric Nail is intended for the use of stability for various types of intertrochanteric (hip) and peritrochanteric (femur) fractures. 

Their are two length options, 170 & 180mm.

The biological shape of the nail allows universal indications which involves all treatments of trochanteric fractures (femur between the cervical region of the shaft). 

The nail has a guide-wire which allows surgeons easier and more efficient access to do a controlled insertion. 

Their are three different neck shaft angles (120* 125* 130*) available to accommodate different variations of the femoral neck (upper portion of the femur).

The benefit of this nail is that it provides stability in the medullary canal (central area of the bone) that prevents rotation in complex fractures. 

The Long Nail is intended for fixation of Femoral Fractures that occur from the femoral neck (Most common, hip) to approximately 10cm of the intercondylar (tibia related) notch. 

The nail also includes fractures of the basilar neck (base of the skull of the hip), intertrochanteric (between the trochanters), peritrochanteric (top of thigh bone), subtrochanteric (hip related) and femoral shaft fractures (femur).

The Long Nail has several important mechanical features as it’s unslotted and cannulated (insert thin tube) for guide wire controlled insertion.

Which is extremely beneficial to surgeons.

The Long Nail offers the same three neck shaft angles (120* 125* 130*) that have variations in the femoral neck including two distal locking screws that are used to control rotation and telescoping.

The Long Nail offers four different distal diameters including 10, 11, 13 and 15mm. 

The nails ranges from 240 - 480mm in 20mm increments.

The curvature of the radius comes in sizes of 1.5 and 2.0m. 

Watch this youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I62O6R5-Z0

The RC Lag Screw is designed for the use of the Trochanteric and Long Nail. 

It may be used to treat patients with highly osteoporotic bone problems (relates to bone tissue). 

The screw offers a combination of the standard G3 lag screws and a spreading U-clip 

The U-clip provides an additional 2mm of spread as it is meant to increase the surface area for greater rotational control and resistance cut out. 

The U-clip get inserted into the RC Lag Screw by sliding into the two grooves then fully inserting WITHOUT the use of forceful hammering. 

The RC Lag Screw showed a 15% higher resistance migration over the standard lag screw. 

Watch this youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLiIVh6J4AE

The Distal Targeting System allows guided distal locking for the Gamma3 Long and T2 Recon Nails.

The key features are that it can improve OR efficiency and reduce x-ray exposure.

 It is also compatible with an existing target handle because of the 30* C-arm alignment that provides additional work space. 

The Distal Targeting System allows NO freehand techniques or conventional drilling methods. 

This allows surgeons the ability to no longer have exposure of higher potential for mis drilling and x-ray adjustments.  

Their are three methods for the distil lock including Static, Dynamic and a combo of both (Static/Dynamic). 

The length of the nail determines where the adjusting device should be attached.

Watch this youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxFjKALxcrw

References 

Blasier, R. Dale. “Surgical Technique for Adolescent Femur Fractures: The Trochanteric Entry 

Intramedullary Nail.” Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics

Schwimmer, Alan. “Lag Screw Technique and Advanced Applications.” Craniomaxillofacial 

Fractures, 1993

Taglang, G. “The Operative Technique for the Latest Generation Gamma Nail (the Gamma3).” 

Practice of Intramedullary Locked Nails, pp. 133–137

Wu, Dankai, et al. “InterTan Nail versus Gamma3 Nail for Intramedullary Nailing of Unstable 

Trochanteric Fractures.” Diagnostic Pathology, vol. 9, no. 1, 2014