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ARTICLE TYPE : CASE PRESENTATION

Published on :   01 Jan 2026, Volume - 1
Journal Title :   WebLog Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders | WebLog J Musculoskelet Disord
Source URL:   weblog iconhttps://weblogoa.com/articles/wjmd.2026.a0102
Permanent Identifier (DOI) :  doi iconhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18211400

‘Schanz Pin Extractor’ Technique for Removal of a Broken Intramedullary Nail

Austin Kloc 1 *
Emmanuele Santolini 2
Lamberto Felli 2
Daniel S. Horwitz 1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N. Academy Ave, Danville, PA, USA
2Academic Unit of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University of Genoa, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10 - 16132, Genoa, Italy

Abstract

Intramedullary nail removal is an uncommon but complicated procedure with significant surgical challenges, especially in the case of a broken nail. There are multiple cumbersome techniques for nail removal described that are frought with difficulty. We present a technique designed to take advantage of the difference in metallurgy of a stainless steel Schanz pin and a cannulated titanium intramedullary nail. We use a 5.0 mm self-tapping Schanz pin that is able to be drilled into the softer cannulated segment of titanium intramedullary nail designed to accomate a guide wire. Once drilled into the desired segment of nail, the distal interlock can be removed, and the Schanz pin can be connected to a T-shaped handle used as an extractor to pull out the nail.

Keywords: Extraction; Intramedullary; Nail Removal

Citation

Kloc A, Santolini E, Felli L, Horwitz DS. ‘Schanz Pin Extractor’ Technique for Removal of a Broken Intramedullary Nail. WebLog J Musculoskelet Disord. wjmd.2026.a0102. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18211400
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