INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Challenges And Opportunities

Global Intramedullary Nail Market- Drivers

• Rising Prevalence of Bone Fractures: A bone fracture is the medical definition for a broken bone. Fractures are usually caused by traumas like falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. But some medical conditions and repetitive forces (like running) can increase risk for certain types of fractures such as femoral fracture, tibia fracture, osteoporosis, etc. For instance, in September 2022, according to data provided by Osteoporosis Australia, a national non-for-profit organization, 4.74 million Australians over 50 years of age (66% of people over 50) has osteoporosis or osteopenia or poor bone health. Based on the 4.74 million Australians with poor bone health, 22% have osteoporosis and 78% has osteopenia. By 2022, it is estimated there were 6.2 million Australians over the age of 50 with osteoporosis or osteopenia, 31% increase from 2012.
• Increasing Product Launches By Key Market Players: Increasing organic growth strategies such as product launches by key market players to expand their product portfolio is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in September 2022, Stryker, a medical device company, announced the launch of Gamma4 System. The newest Gamma System provides surgeons with the next generation of Stryker’s intramedullary nailing system. The Gamma4 System is indicated for the treatment of stable and unstable fractures as well as for stabilization of bones and correction of bone deformities in the intracapsular, trochanteric, subtrochanteric and shaft regions of the femur (including osteoporotic and osteopenic bone).

Global Intramedullary Nail Market- Opportunities

• Development of Biodegradable Intramedullary Nails: Biodegradable IM nails eliminate the need for removal surgery, reducing patient trauma and healthcare costs. Companies are investing in developing nails using biodegradable materials like magnesium alloys.
• Rising Demand for Minimally Invasive Surgeries: The preference for minimally invasive IM nail fixation using smaller incisions is increasing among patients. Key players are focusing on advancing minimally invasive intramedullary nailing techniques.
• Increasing Product Approval: Increasing organic growth strategies such as product approvals by regulatory authorities to expand the market players product portfolio is expected to create lucrative opportunity in global intramedullary nail market growth over the forecast period. For instance, on January 19, 2023, Conventus Flower Orthopedics, a medical device company, announced that it had received the U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for the Flex-Thread Ulna Intramedullary (IM) Nail System. The Flex-Thread Ulna IM Nail is intended for use in the fixation of fractures and osteotomies of the ulna. The first and only flexible, threaded ulna IM nail will be available in a wide range of diameters and lengths.
• Increasing Awareness Campaign: Increasing awareness campaign for bone related diseases such as osteoporosis, bone fracture, etc. is expected to create lucrative opportunity in global intramedullary nail market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in April 2022, International Osteoporosis Foundation, a non-governmental organization, announced LiftOffForBoneHealth, an exciting new online public awareness campaign in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), an intergovernmental organization, through the awareness campaign, International Osteoporosis Foundation, encouraging people all over the world to engage in regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises that help to build and maintain strong bones for life. The programme educated the general public regarding the importance of maintaining bone mineral density to prevent osteoporosis.

Global Intramedullary Nail Market Restraints

• Challenges and Risk Factor Associated with Intramedullary Nailing: Intramedullary nailing is commonly used to fix the long bone fractures such as femoral fracture, tibia fracture, etc. There are various challenges and risk factors associated with intramedullary nailing. Some challenges include iatrogenic fractures, straightening of the femur, medial gap opening, leg-length discrepancy, penetration of the distal anterior femoral cortex, delayed union, and nonunion, instability of the inserted nail, shortening, soft tissues irritation over entry points  usually longer sized nail, etc. For instance, on April 9, 2023, according to data provided by MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) Journal, a publisher of open access scientific journals, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea and Korea Worker’s Compensation & Welfare Service Daejeon Hospital, Republic of Korea conducted a study on Risk Factors Associated with Intraoperative Iatrogenic Fracture in Patients Undergoing Intramedullary Nailing for Atypical Femoral Fractures with Marked Anterior and Lateral Bowing. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 136 patients with atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) treated with intramedullary nailing between June 2008 and December 2017
• Product Recall: Increasing product recall by various key players operating in the intramedullary nail market will result in restraining the overall market growth in the coming years. For instance,  in January 2022, according to data provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Conventus Flower Orthopedics, an early-stage company focused on delivering a new standard of care for fracture treatment in the orthopaedic extremities, issued urgent recall of product Flex-Thread TM Distal Fibula Intramedullary Nail System (Lot Number: 11090 UDI: 00840118117548). The reason for recall was Mating incompatibility between the Inserter Shaft and the Inserter Draw Rod causing the inserter draw rod to bind and not rotate freely as intended surgeon may be unable to complete surgery unless a second set was available.
• Lack of Reimbursement in Emerging Markets: The lack of insurance coverage and reimbursement for fracture fixation surgeries in developing regions limits the adoption of intramedullary nails. Patients in these countries often cannot afford the procedure cost.