Intramedullary orthopaedic devices

Claim 1

An internal orthopaedic fracture fixation device for a small bone comprising: an elongate member of plastics material, said member having a rectangular overall cross-sectional shape defined by an opposed pair on major side faces in alternating disposition with an opposed pair of minor side faces; said minor side faces being smooth; said major side faces being formed over at least a major portion of the length thereof with at least two longitudinally adjacent sequences of fins; each said sequence: having the longitudinal direction of the fins therein extending transversely of said member, being spaced longitudinally on said member from the next adjacent one of said sequences by a distance greater than the thickness of a respective one of said fins in the same direction, and having the height of each said fin, directed outwardly from said member, being greater than said thickness; said member being constructed and arranged to be secured by an interference fit, by longitudinal translation alone, into a preprepared, substantially complementary recess in said small bone; with such fit resulting from flexure of said fins of at least one corresponding said sequence thereof on each said major side face without necessarily causing substantial stripping of bone material from the wall of said recess, while said smooth faces act against rotation of said member in said recess.