Professional
Technical
IVT
Retrograde Nailing
An intramedullary fixation technique where the nail is inserted from the distal end of a long bone.
Full Definition
Retrograde nailing is a surgical technique for treating long bone fractures where an intramedullary nail is inserted from the distal end of the bone, typically through the knee joint for femoral fractures. This approach is particularly useful for supracondylar femur fractures, periprosthetic fractures around total hip arthroplasty, or when antegrade nailing is contraindicated. The procedure requires careful attention to joint anatomy and post-operative rehabilitation to minimize complications such as knee stiffness or infection.
Usage
Usage note: Specify direction clearly to distinguish from antegrade approach.
In Context
- "Retrograde nailing was chosen due to the presence of a total hip prosthesis." — operative report
- "The supracondylar fracture pattern made retrograde nailing the preferred technique." — surgical consultation
Also known as
distal-to-proximal nailing
reverse nailing
Contrasted with
antegrade nailing
proximal-to-distal nailing
Don't confuse with
antegrade nailing