Final answer:
The IM Nail fracture healing/stability model involves stabilizing fractured bones with a metal rod to assist in natural healing over four stages, culminating in bone remodeling for complete recovery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fracture healing/stability model of an Intramedullary (IM) Nail refers to the process and mechanism by which fractured bones are realigned and stabilized using a metal rod inserted into the marrow canal of the bone. The concept relies on the natural healing process of bones, consisting of four stages: hematoma formation, callus formation, callus ossification, and bone remodeling. To achieve stability, the nail acts as an internal splint, keeping the broken ends in place and allowing the natural healing process to proceed with the bone subjected to normal stresses as it heals.
An IM Nail is commonly used in fractures of long bones like the femur or tibia. It assists in maintaining the proper alignment and length of the bone during healing, which is essential for the normal function after recovery. After the bone is healed, bone remodeling continues to adjust the bone structure to the mechanical loads it experiences as per Wolff's Law, leading to complete recovery over time.