The global intramedullary nail market size was valued at USD 678.13 million in 2023. It is projected to reach USD 1,198.23 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.53% during the forecast period (2024-32). The global market for intramedullary nails is expanding due to improvements in orthopedic surgical methods and materials, an aging population, and an increase in fractures caused by trauma and other lifestyle-related injuries. The global popularity of these implants in orthopedic treatments is fueled by their reduced post-operative complications and faster recovery times.
An intramedullary nail, sometimes referred to as an intramedullary rod, Kuntscher nail, or inter-locking nail, is a type of metal rod that is surgically inserted into the bone's medullary cavity to help stabilize and fixate fractures in the long bones. These types of orthopedic implants are commonly used to treat various injuries that may result from accidents, age-related bone degeneration, or conditions that cause low bone density. The market for these products encompasses a wide range of orthopedic issues and injuries. It plays a crucial role in helping patients recover and regain their mobility after bone fractures.
An unprecedented spike in the frequency of road accidents has stimulated the market growth. As reported by the WHO, in 2023, approximately 1.19 million people meet fatal road traffic crashes and accidents annually. Similarly, an estimated 25 to 50 million other persons sustain non-fatal injuries that leave them severely disabled. Hence, these statistics suggest that the growing number of road injuries and accidents that lead to femoral neck or intertrochanteric bone fracture fuels the demand for intramedullary nails in healthcare facilities.
Moreover, as per the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, injury accounts for over 3 million non-fatal injuries per year, amongst which 50,000 people die from trauma. Therefore, trauma patients require immediate medical treatment, such as implanting trauma-fixing devices, to heal. This is expected to drive market growth.
Patients' preference for less invasive intramedullary nail fixation—involving fewer incisions—is growing. As a result, significant players in the medical field are stepping up their efforts to develop methods related to this strategy. For instance, an intramedullary fixation using a fibular nail is a less invasive option than traditional plate fixation, offering better biomechanical strength and permitting immediate full weight-bearing after surgery.
These developments are intended to maintain safety and efficacy standards while reducing invasiveness and increasing efficiency. This strategy focus results from a deliberate attempt to address patient requests for less invasive orthopedic operations. It also drives innovation in minimally invasive intramedullary nailing, which improves patient outcomes worldwide and aligns with changing healthcare preferences.
Intramedullary nails are expensive, which presents a major obstacle to their use in medical treatments. For many patients, these implants can be too costly despite their effectiveness, which limits their access to potentially life-saving procedures. The impact of this technology on traditional practice is felt by healthcare providers and facilities, leading to longer recovery periods and worse patient outcomes. Ensuring fair access to orthopedic therapies and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare delivery in communities across the globe depend on addressing the price of intramedullary nails. Such factors can hinder market growth.
In the near future, organic growth strategies—especially product releases by major players in the market—are expected to drive market expansion. For example, the Gamma4 System, which is the next generation of Stryker's intramedullary nailing system, was introduced in September 2022 by a well-known medical equipment manufacturer. In order to treat conditions like osteoporotic and osteopenic bone density, this sophisticated system is carefully designed to address stable and unstable fractures, bone stabilization, and correction of bone deformities across various regions of the femur, including intracapsular, trochanteric, subtrochanteric, and shaft areas. These developments have the potential to increase market expansion and improve treatment efficacy.
| Study Period | 2020-2032 | CAGR | 6.53% |
| Historical Period | 2020-2022 | Forecast Period | 2024-2032 |
| Base Year | 2023 | Base Year Market Size | USD 678.13 million |
| Forecast Year | 2032 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 1,198.23 million |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Based on region, the global intramedullary nail market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.
North America is the most significant global intramedullary nails market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially over the forecast period. Several key factors fuel the dominance of the intramedullary nail market. The market is expected to develop due to a sizable senior population with bone problems, rising regulatory approvals for medical devices, and an increasing need for enhanced clinical testing devices. Statistics from the Bone and Joints Burden Organization reveal the widespread impact of musculoskeletal disorders, with approximately 1 in 2 adults over 18 and 3 in 4 individuals over 65 affected. Similarly, road accidents result in 2.35 million injuries and over 37,000 fatalities annually, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT). In comparison, 2.9 million sports injuries occur annually, as the American Physical Therapy Association reported.
Furthermore, the region benefits from high demand for specialized healthcare facilities, well-developed infrastructure, and extensive reimbursement coverage. Companies that manufacture orthopedic trauma and reconstruction devices, like Globus Medical, Inc., have seen revenue growth due to an increase in FDA approvals. For instance, Globus Medical has received over 82 product approvals. Similarly, government and private sector collaborations within the region enhance awareness, with various societies like the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and the American Association for Surgery of Trauma actively promoting advanced treatment options and technological innovations.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the growing geriatric population, particularly in countries like Japan, presents a significant market opportunity. Asia is home to over 500 million individuals aged 65 and above, projected to rise to 923 million by 2050, according to the Asian Development Bank and United Nations data. Further, the prevalence of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis drives market growth.
Moreover, economic growth in countries like India and China supports healthcare infrastructure development and the expansion of medical device companies, trauma centers, and specialty orthopedic centers, further boosting regional market growth. Overall, increasing patient awareness, economic factors, and healthcare infrastructure development are anticipated to drive substantial growth in the Asia-Pacific intramedullary nail market.
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The global intramedullary nail market is bifurcated into type, end-user, and sales channels.
The global intramedullary nail market is segmented into titanium alloys and stainless steel.
The titanium metal implants segment dominates the highest market share. The titanium alloy commonly used for implants, Ti6Al4VELI (ASTM F-136), offers numerous advantages over conventional materials, driving significant growth in this segment. Titanium implants exhibit reduced stress shielding and fatigue failure, attributed to their high biocompatibility, strength, rigidity, and corrosion resistance. They also boast non-allergic, non-magnetic, and non-radio-opaque properties, adhering readily to bone without external covering.
Being biologically inert, titanium forms a protective titanium dioxide layer upon contact with air or water, ensuring stability within the body. These attributes are particularly influential in developed economies, where titanium implants are increasingly favored due to their cost-effectiveness and superior performance.
The global intramedullary nail market is segmented into hospitals, specialty orthopedic and trauma centers, and others.
The hospital owns the largest market share. Numerous factors contribute to market domination in the intramedullary nail segment. Contributions include advantageous payment rules, rising use of minimally invasive procedures, and state-of-the-art facilities such as orthopedic surgical robots. Hospitals' expansion of their healthcare infrastructure also contributes to segmental growth. There has been a noticeable increase in orthopedic procedures, especially for trauma injuries and femur shaft fractures.
For example, there are about 250,000 proximal femur fractures annually in the United States alone. Over 5 million people die from trauma-related injuries worldwide each year, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Segment dominance is further cemented by the growing use of smart intramedullary nails for various bone restorations, including long bone fractures such as femoral neck fractures and intertrochanteric bone fractures.
The global intramedullary nail market is segmented into direct and distribution sales.
The direct sales channel facilitates direct communication between manufacturers and healthcare providers in the global intramedullary nail market, including hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers. Manufacturers build direct connections with end consumers through this channel, enabling more individualized service, customized product offers, and effective communication about product features, advantages, and upgrades.
Manufacturers can offer full support through direct sales channels, including technical help, education, and training, which builds provider loyalty and trust. Direct sales channels also make it easier for manufacturers to respond quickly to client requirements and preferences, which helps them gain a competitive edge and expand their market share.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to close down inter-nation, inter-state, and even inter-city borders to promote social distancing as a measure to stop the spread of the disease. The WHO warns cash and bank cards may also aid disease transmission, and at present, digital payments offer the safest option. Hence, many are opting for online transactions, especially as retailers are refusing hard cash.
The pandemic has redirected authorities’ attention toward the expansion of online payment systems and contactless cards. Countries such as the U.S. and China are planning to promote electronic cash to fight against the spread of the deadly pathogen. Businesses and governments in the regions are significantly investing in digital currency because it cannot be misplaced and is widely accepted by business officials. The robust infrastructure of the U.S. financial market for electronic money facilitated through Visa and MasterCard, and China’s recent announcement of electronic Renminbi (e-RMB) are a couple of the best examples in the current scenario.
The below chart represents the historical exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar to the Chinese Yuan.
