Intramedullary Nail Market

Market Overview

The Global Intramedullary Nail Market was valued at USD 478.13 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a 3.6% CAGR during the forecast period.

An intramedullary nail, also known as an intramedullary rod or Kuntscher nail or inter-locking nail, is a metal rod inserted into the medullary cavity of bone and used in the fixation of the fractures of the long bones. The market encompasses products that deal with orthopedic issues and injuries that may arise from many factors such as accidents, age, low bone density, and others.

Market Dynamics

ho are potential consumers of these market products due to weakened bones and high risk of injuries. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that the number of people in the geriatric age group is expected to grow to around 2,000 million by 2050.

An unprecedented spike in the frequency of road accidents has boosted the market. As reported by the WHO, in 2020, more than 1.35 million people meet fatal road traffic crashes and accidents annually. Further around, 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with numerous incurring disabilities resulting from their injury. Hence, these statistics suggest that the growing number of road injuries and accidents that lead to fracture of the femoral neck or intertrochanteric bone fuels the demand for intramedullary nails in healthcare facilities.

Besides, increasing trauma cases worldwide also fuels the demand for internal fixator devices such as Intramedullary nails. 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. Thus, such trauma patients require immediate medical treatment, such as implanting trauma-fixing devices, to heal.

Technological Advancements in Market Products Boosts Awareness and Adoption in the Market

Recently, technological advancements in intramedullary nail fixation have boosted the global market. For instance, Gamma, a comprehensive intramedullary nailing system, by Stryker, for treating an extensive range of proximal femur fractures and associated femoral shaft fractures, is one such prominent example. Additionally, improvements in nail construction and mechanical and biological properties of intramedullary nails have widened the indication for nailing to cover both proximal and distal tibial fractures. Another significant advancement in nailing technology is the emergence of angular stable locking bolts or screws. In proximal or distal fractures, especially in osteoporotic tissue, this can increase the stability after nailing.

Internal fixing devices are growing prominence over external fixing devices, thereby increasing demand for IM nails. This is because the raw materials used in the manufacture of internal healing devices are robust, strong, and versatile, supplying the bone with the required reinforcement and contributing to a fast recovery from the medical condition. Internal fixation devices are supportive in fixing fractured bones in a definite shape by implanting different devices. These devices provide immobilization at the fracture site, and callus formation allows for the primary bone healing process. Furthermore, it also lessens hospital stays, improper bone healing, and early patient connectivity, contributing to the increasing demand for IM nails.

Technological innovations such as drug-eluting implants, bioresorbable implants, and Nano-coated appliances have greatly accelerated the demand for trauma-fixing instruments. Mounting demand for internal trauma fixators also mainly owes to its cost-effectiveness and anatomical compatibility, thus furthering product demand and overall market expansion.

Segmental Analysis

Titanium AlloysDominates the Type Segment in the Market

Titanium metal implants represented the largest market share valued at 262.68 million USD, and growth is projected to continue during the forecast period. Titanium alloy commonly used to make implants is Ti6Al4VELI (ASTM F-136). Titanium implants cause less stress shielding and also are less prone to fatigue failure.

A large proportion of growth in this segment can be attributed to titanium's benefits as impact material, such as high biocompatibility, strength, rigidity, higher strain-bearing capacity, and higher corrosion-resistance properties compared to conventional materials. It is also non-allergic, non-magnetic, and non-radio-opaque and readily adheres to the bone without any external covering.

Titanium is a biologically inert biomaterial since it remains unchanged in the human body when inserted. When it comes into contact with air or water, it forms a surface layer of titanium dioxide that protects and stabilizes the metal. These factors influence growth in the market, and hence titanium implants are presently gaining importance in various developed economies owing to their low cost.

HospitalSegmental Market Shows Dominance in Terms of Revenue

The hospital segment dominates the intramedullary nails market within the end-user segment. The segment is valued at 293.75 million USD in 2019 and is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The market dominance is mainly due to advanced facilities such as orthopedic surgical robots, reimbursement policies, growing adoption of minimally invasive procedures, and developing healthcare infrastructure in hospitals.

An upsurge in the number of orthopedic surgeries performed in hospitals also increases the availability of more skilled professionals and, rising number of hospital visits by patients with femoral shaft fractures, trauma injuries, and orthopedic injuries, bolstering the segmental growth. According to a research study, approximately 250,000 proximal femur fractures occur in the U.S annually. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma reports that globally trauma injury is responsible for more than 5 million deaths annually. Additionally, the increasing adoption of smart intramedullary nails in a wide range of bone repairs, long bone fractures such as the fracture of femoral neck or intertrochanteric bone fracture treatments performed in hospitals is a key factor attributed to the segment share dominance.

Regional Analysis

North American Regional Market Dominates the Global Market by Revenue

North America dominates the global intramedullary nails market, and the regional market was valued at 194.72 million USD in 2019. The market dominance is owing to a large population base of elderly patients suffering from bone disorders, an upsurge in the number of devices receiving regulatory approvals, and a rise in the demand for new and advanced devices for clinical tests in the region. Also, factors driving regional growth are high demand for specialized healthcare facilities, well-developed healthcare infrastructure, high income, and reimbursement coverage.

According to the Bone and Joints Burden Organization, nearly 1 of 2 persons above age 18 and 3 of 4 persons above age 65 are affected by musculoskeletal disorders. Moreover, 2.35 million get injured in road crashes, and over 37,000 people die every year, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT). American Physical Therapy Association states that 2.9 million sports injuries occur annually. Therefore, multiple factors have created a high demand for intramedullary nails, thereby driving the regional market growth.

In recent years, most orthopedic trauma and reconstruction device firms witness revenue gains through an increasing number of regulatory approvals. For example, Globus Medical, Inc., a U.S.-based corporation, received more than 82 FDA product approvals.

Further, increasing awareness within the region due to government and private firm collaborations has helped the market grow significantly. For instance, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Association for Surgery of Trauma, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, International Osteoporosis Foundation, the National Osteoporosis Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the United States Bone And Joint Initiative are societies in the American regions actively involved in promoting and creating awareness regarding advanced treatment options and technological advances orthopedic sector.

The APAC Market is Anticipated to Witness Steady Growth

The APAC market is valued at 107.42 million USD and is projected to reach 216.43 million USD in 2024. The growth in the Asia-Pacific market can be attributed to the rising geriatric population, which is susceptible to orthopaedic injuries and disorders that necessitate market products. According to the Asian development bank, Asia houses more than 500 million individuals aged 65 years and above as of 2018, and this number is expected to reach 923 million by 2050.

According to the United Nations, Japan has the largest geriatric population, projected to rise in the coming years. Therefore, the demand for intramedullary nails from these countries is expected to receive a major boost in the near future. Besides, the increasing prevalence of diabetes, obesity, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis is further intensifying the market. Additionally, rising awareness among patients about intramedullary nail designs and their benefits, overactive orthopedic surgery problems, and growth in per capita health care expenditure are anticipated to positively impact the Asia-Pacific intramedullary nail market growth during the forecast period.

In addition, the economic growth of countries like India and China favors healthcare infrastructure and the expansion of medical device companies, trauma centers, specialty orthopedic centers for trauma fixation devices, furthering the regional market growth.

Recent Developments

• In June 2018, DePuy Synthes launched an innovative Femoral Recon Nail System. It is a nailing system that provides new options for the surgical treatment of a wide variety of long thigh bone fractures.

Intramedullary Nail Market Segmentation

By Type

• Titanium Alloys
• Stainless Steel

By End-User

• Hospitals
• Specialty Orthopaedic and Trauma Centers
• Others

By Sales Channels

• Direct
• Distribution Sales

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• The Middle East and Africa
• Central and South America and the Caribbean