The history of intramedullary nailing

Purpose: To summarize the evolution of intramedullary nailing, highlight important milestones, introduce the atmosphere of the era concerning the first uses and development of intramedullary nailing, and present the status of nailing in modern international orthopaedics and traumatology. Method: A thorough literature search was undertaken in PubMed and Google Scholar as well as in physical books in libraries to summarize the literature on the history and evolution of intramedullary nailing. Results: The first use of an intramedullary device was attested in ancient Egypt; however, the first use of intramedullary nailing was reported in 1524 in Mexico, and the first medical journals reported on intramedullary nailing around the mid-1800s. The evolutions of intramedullary nailing including approach, material, cross-section and shape, and reaming technique occurred in the twentieth century. During the 1960s, intramedullary nailing was abandoned in favour of plate and screws osteosynthesis; however, in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, a surge of novelties including flexible reaming, interlocking, and use of image intensification and titanium nails led to the advent of the second-generation intramedullary nailing. Today, intramedullary nailing has become the standard treatment of long bone fractures with low infection rates, small scars, excellent stabilization of the fractures, and immediate mobilization of the patients. Conclusion: Intramedullary nailing has revolutionized the treatment of long bone fractures. However, with numerous nail designs, a lot of information on their efficacy is lacking. Considerably more work will need to be done to determine the optimal nail specifications. © 2021, SICOT aisbl.