Semi-extended suprapatellar intramedullary nail fixation of tibial fractures has recently been gaining popularity. Several recent studies and meta-analyses compare the outcomes of the suprapatellar approach with the traditional infrapatellar approach. Despite concerns with intra-articular placement of instruments, studies show the suprapatellar approach to be a safe alternative. Several articles conclude that the suprapatellar approach may be superior to the infrapatellar approach. This review discusses recent findings comparing suprapatellar and infrapatellar approaches for nail insertion.
Keywords: infrapatellar; intramedullary; suprapatellar; tibial shaft.
Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.