Our experience in suprapatellar nailing: Surgical techniques

Abstract

Tibial shaft fractures are conventionally treated with intramedullary nailing. The classical approach for intramedullary nailing with knee in 90-degree flexion, challenges the surgeons in reduction and shortcomings of post-operative malalignment, especially for proximally tibial shaft fractures due to quadriceps tendon pull. The advent of a new suprapatellar approach with knee in a semi-extended position overcomes this disadvantage. Since then, many advancements in techniques and instrumentation have been developed for the suprapatellar approach. The practice of accurate nail entry, reduction procedure, nail insertion and locking have shown good outcomes. This article discuss about the prerequisites and surgical technical knowledge that we gained in our experience.