Patent attributes
An intramedullary implant has opposite ends inserted into bores in abutting phalanges for correcting hammer toe and for similar arthrodesis procedures. A rear end of the implant may be threaded and is received in a bore in the proximal phalanx. A front end has an asymmetric pointed shape with longitudinally and/or angularly spaced rear-facing gripping flukes. The pointed front end is received in the middle phalanx. The asymmetric pointed shape is self-aligning, enabling entry to begin without first longitudinally aligning the bones. The rear end when screwed into place can be rotated to select the orientation of the asymmetric pointed shape. The pointed front end is inserted and pushed to bring the phalanges into abutment where the implant holds them against retraction or rotational displacement.
