US Patent 7488329 Method and apparatus for reducing femoral fractures

An improved apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. An alignment guide in accordance with the present invention is provided to facilitate alignment of instruments used to create a cavity in the bone for reception of the femoral implant and to facilitate size selection of the femoral implant. The alignment guide of the present invention includes a reference element and pattern arms having geometries which track an anatomical structure.