Temperature Elevation in Cortical Bone during Intramedullary Reaming and the Effect of Intermittent IM Irrigation and Sharp Reamers

Description: OTA paper 1998
To determine if intramedullary reaming causes temperature elevation in cortical bone of sufficient magnitude to cause thermal necrosis. Secondly to determine if intermittent IM irrigation or the use of sharp reamers will reduce this temperature elevation.
linical Application: Whenever possible, sharp reamers should be employed. In patients who require large amounts of cortical bone to be reamed, irrigation between reamer passages may provide an inexpensive, simple method to minimize the risk of thermal necrosis.