Abstract: Reduction of a bone fragment of a bone fracture at a bone fracture site is accomplished through a minimally invasive access passage utilizing instruments having a working head actuated from a location remote from the bone fracture site, between an insertion configuration dimensioned and configured to present a minimal cross-sectional area for ready passage through the minimally invasive access passage and a working configuration dimensioned and configured to establish an essentially rigid working face of substantially greater cross-sectional area than the minimal cross-sectional area. The working head is actuated into the working configuration and manipulated from the remote location while in the working configuration to engage the working face with the bone fragment and manipulate the bone fragment into an anatomically appropriate reduced position at the bone fracture site.

Abstract: A bone fracture located in one of the distal area and the proximal area of a long bone of the body is stabilized by inserting an intramedullary nail at a corresponding proximal end or distal end of the long bone, the intramedullary nail having a shank long enough to extend into the shaft of the long bone and reach the corresponding distal area or proximal area, and sockets located intermediate the ends of the shank for receiving anchoring pins extended transversely from the shaft of the long bone and to which a drill guide is coupled for enabling the drilling of holes in the long bone aligned with the fracture for insertion of stabilizing fasteners to stabilize the fracture.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail is inserted at a selected location within a natural bone and is removed selectively from the location utilizing an access wire which guides a knife for making an access opening of limited size in alignment with the direction in which the intramedullary nail is to be inserted or removed. Cutting tool guides are secured within the access opening, with the aid of trocars, for gaining access to the bone at the location for insertion of the intramedullary nail, and for gaining access to the intramedullary nail for removal of the intramedullary nail. The intramedullary nail includes a hollow shaft with an end plug provided with an alignment hole for engagement with an access wire which guides a knife to the end plug, and a purchase which is protected from calcification and scar tissue during the service life of the intramedullary nail and which is accessed readily for effecting removal and withdrawal of the end plug for ease of removal of the intramedullary nail.