Intramedullary Nailing (IM Nail)
A metal rod is passed down the marrow canal of a fractured long bone and locked at both ends — providing strong load-sharing fixation and rapid return to weight-bearing.
What is Intramedullary Nailing (IM Nail)?
Intramedullary Nailing is the established surgical gold standard for displaced shaft fractures of long bones — particularly the femur, tibia and humerus. A precisely sized metal nail is passed through the marrow canal across the fracture site and locked at both ends with interlocking screws, creating a load-sharing construct that preserves fracture biology while providing strong rotational and axial stability. The procedure is performed through small entry incisions, sparing soft tissues. Dr. Hithesh performs intramedullary nailing in Hyderabad across complex shaft fracture patterns, delivering reliable bone healing, very early weight-bearing and excellent functional outcomes.
How the Procedure Works
Anaesthesia & Positioning
General or regional anaesthesia; the patient is positioned on a fracture table allowing accurate fluoroscopic guidance throughout the procedure.
Entry Portal
A small incision over the standard entry point — greater trochanter for femur or tibial tuberosity for tibia — exposes the bone.
Canal Reaming
The marrow canal is precisely reamed to the desired diameter using flexible reamers, allowing the appropriately sized nail to pass through.
Nail Insertion
The intramedullary nail is gently advanced through the canal across the fracture site under continuous fluoroscopic guidance and visualisation.
Locking & Closure
Locking screws are placed at both ends through small skin incisions; wounds are closed; very early mobilisation begins postoperatively.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
- →Strong load-sharing fixation that preserves fracture biological healing capacity
- →Minimally invasive with small entry incisions and minimal soft-tissue disruption
- →Allows very early weight-bearing in most stable fracture configurations
- →Excellent for complex comminuted and segmental long-bone fracture patterns
- →Preserves the periosteal blood supply essential to fracture biological healing
- →Highly successful technique with proven excellent long-term outcomes globally
Intramedullary nailing changed long-bone fracture care forever. By respecting biology and providing biomechanically perfect support, we transformed what was once weeks in traction into walking-the-next-day surgery.
— — Dr. Bathini Hithesh, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Trauma & Joint Replacement Specialist, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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