When treating tibial fractures, how can surgeons get the best possible results? The supra patellar tibia nail surgical technique has become an advancement in orthopedic procedures over the years, providing a minimally invasive method with major advantages. This method has become more common because it can help keep tibial shaft fractures in better alignment and reduce damage to soft tissues. But what are the most important steps, and why is it increasingly preferred? Let’s have a look.
How to Know About the Supra Patellar Tibia Nail Surgical Technique
Implanting an intramedullary nail through a close-by opening in the patella is part of the supra patellar tibia nail surgical method. Compared to other methods, this one causes less damage to the nearby tissues and makes the crack more stable while it is being fixed. It works well for proximal and distal tibial fractures, where keeping the bone in place is very important.
According to recent research, its popularity is on the rise all over. For example, a survey of orthopedic doctors in 2024 found that more than 60% of them now prefer supra patellar nailing for complex tibial fractures because it has better results in terms of less pain after surgery and faster recovery times.
Important Steps in the Supra Patellar Tibia Nail Surgical Technique
To make sure the process for supra patellar tibia nailing goes well, it needs to be done carefully and step by step. Here are the exact steps.
Step 1: Preparing Patients for Care
Lay the patient on their back on the surgery table with their knee bent about 15 to 30 degrees. Use a radiolucent table to make imaging easier during surgery. Placing a cushion bump under the knee can help keep it slightly bent.
Step 2: Entry Point and Incision
Cut a small longitudinal cut close to the knee. The tibial nail is carefully guided through the quadriceps muscle to prevent injury to the patella or articular cartilage.
Step 3: Canal Preparation and Reaming
With the help of a fluoroscope, put a guide wire into the medullary canal. According to sequential reaming, the tube is prepared to make sure the nail fits perfectly and the risk of fracture spread is lower.
Step 4: Inserting Nails
Using the right alignment jig, put the tibial nail through the supra patellar opening. To make sure the nail is in the right place and aligned properly within the tibial shaft, fluoroscopy is used.
Step 5: Locking with Proximal and Distal
Placing locking screws near and far from the nail secures it. For accurate placing, use a targeting device and imaging to make sure the screw is in the right place.
Step 6: Closure of wounds and care after surgery
Use absorbable sutures for the inner layers of the wound and non-absorbable sutures for the skin to close it up. Keep the leg still if you need to, and put on a clean covering.
Advantages of the Supra Patellar Technique
The suprapatellar tibia nail surgical treatment is better than other methods in a number of ways
- A proximal entry point is used in this method to minimize disruption to the knee’s soft tissues, which is a major concern. This lowers the chance of pain and swelling after surgery.
- An improved alignment of the fracture, particularly in proximal and distal tibial fractures, is made possible by keeping the knee semi-extended during the treatment.
- Studies have shown that patients who have supra patellar tibial nailing heal more quickly than those who have had other techniques.
- Minimally invasive procedures reduce the danger of deep tissue infections, leading to reduced infection rates.
Important Factors to Think About
There are many good things about the supra patellar tibia nail surgical method, but there are also some problems.
- Being able to do this method requires a deep understanding of anatomy and advanced fluoroscopic skills.
- The surgery needs specially made supra patellar insertion tools and targeting jigs, which might not be available in all surgical settings.
- Incorrect methods can damage the patellofemoral cartilage, so it’s important to be careful when handling.
In six months, 98% of injuries had healed. 85% of patients said they had little to no pain after surgery. Compared to the old way of nailing the tibia, the average length of stay in the hospital was 30% shorter.
These results show that the treatment works well to speed up recovery times and make patients happier.
Techniques for a Perfect Supra Patellar Tibia Nail
To get the best results from surgery, consider these tips.
- Before the surgery, you should carefully look at scans to figure out how the crack happened and choose the right nail size.
- Get to know the specific tools you’ll need for supra patellar tibia nailings, such as striving jigs and reamers.
- For accurate guide wire placement and nail alignment, use real-time imaging.
- During proximal and distal locking, pay careful attention to keeping the joint in alignment.
- After surgery, allow the patient to move around as soon as possible and give them clear instructions on how to heal faster.
How Suprapatellar Tibia Nailing Will Change in the Coming Years
The future of the supra patellar tibia nail surgical method looks bright as technology improves. New trends include using biodegradable screws to avoid long-term problems and artificial intelligence (AI) to plan surgeries before they happen. People are also looking into using virtual reality (AR) to help surgeons see better and be more accurate.
Minimally invasive orthopedic procedures are also anticipated to see an increase in demand. A recent market report says that the global orthopedic devices market will grow to $68 billion by 2027. This is because of new surgical methods like supra patellar tibial nailing.
Wrapping It Up
As a major step forward in orthopedic surgery, the supra patellar tibia nail surgical method provides a minimally invasive way to treat tibial fractures. Its benefits make it the preferred option of surgeons. Healthcare workers can improve the quality of care for their patients and make sure that results are successful by keeping up to date on the latest innovations and following best practices.
