Patent ID: 8066706

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a surgical nail formed of material with a first modulus of elasticity, the nail having a tubular body with a longitudinal central axis, a longitudinal bore extending along the axis between proximal and distal ends of the tubular body, and a first transverse opening configured to receive a bone fastener; and an elongated insert formed of material with a second, modulus of elasticity lower than the first modulus of elasticity, the insert including a body sized and shaped to be inserted along the longitudinal central axis and through the longitudinal bore in an installed position, a first protrusion extending laterally from the body and configured to extend into the first transverse opening when the insert is in the installed position within the nail, the insert further including a longitudinal slot extending along the body to permit radial compression of the insert during insertion into the nail so that, when the insert is in the desired position, frictional engagement between the insert and the nail maintains the insert in the desired position, and further comprising a bone fastener sized and shaped to be received within the first transverse opening in the tubular body, the bone fastener having a shaft with a cross sectional size smaller than the cross sectional size of the first transverse opening.