What Is the Intertan Nailing System? Key Features Explained.
In hip fracture surgery, surgeons rarely look for fancy ideas. What they want is something that works—especially when the fracture is unstable, and the patient can’t afford complications. Over the years, this is exactly why the Intertan nailing system has gained attention. It wasn’t designed to reinvent intramedullary nailing. It was designed to fix problems surgeons were already facing in the operating room.
A System Built Around Stability
Intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric femur fractures are the main conditions for which the Intertan nailing system is utilized. Particularly in cases involving poor bone quality or elderly patients, these fractures can be unpredictable. Conventional single-screw nails frequently experienced uncontrollable collapse and rotation.
Intertan took a different tack on this. It makes use of two screws that function as a single unit rather than just one lag screw. This simple change addresses some very real surgical concerns.
Why Two Screws Are Better Than One?
The defining feature of the Intertan system is its integrated dual-screw design. The larger screw supports the load, while the smaller screw locks into it. Once engaged, the screws move together rather than independently.
In practice, this reduces the risk of femoral head rotation after fixation. Surgeons often find this reassuring, particularly in unstable fracture patterns where maintaining alignment is a constant challenge.
Compression That Feels Controlled
The Intertan system’s ability to apply compression during surgery is one feature that surgeons value. Compression at the fracture site can be accomplished during implant placement rather than waiting for postoperative settling.
Bone contact is enhanced by this regulated compression. Additionally, rather than waiting for everything to settle properly later, it gives surgeons a greater sense of stability before closing.
Designed With Real Bone in Mind
The nail itself is designed to distribute stress more evenly through the femur. This matters because hip fractures are load-bearing injuries. If stress concentrates in the wrong place, fixation failure becomes a risk.
With the Intertan nail, load sharing is more predictable. This can support earlier mobilization, depending on the fracture and patient condition, which is often a key goal in hip fracture care.
Instrumentation That Doesn’t Fight the Surgeon
A good implant can still fail if the instruments are frustrating to use. The Intertan system includes targeting guides and instruments designed to stay stable during the procedure.
Surgeons often observe when equipment is operating correctly. Fewer modifications, simpler techniques, and consistent alignment preserve surgical efficiency—especially in trauma cases where time is of the essence.
Where Surgeons Use It Often?
The Intertan nailing system is commonly used for unstable intertrochanteric fractures, reverse oblique patterns, and circumstances where rotational stability is a problem. It is also considered in osteoporotic bone, where fixation strength may be unpredictable.
It’s not about replacing judgment. Surgeons still decide when and how to use it. The system simply supports those decisions with thoughtful design.
Final Takeaway
The Intertan nailing system didn’t become popular because of marketing claims. It gained traction because it addressed everyday surgical problems—rotation, collapse, and control.
For surgeons dealing with complex hip fractures, those small design choices can make a noticeable difference in both surgery and recovery. Sometimes, that’s exactly what a good orthopedic implant is meant to do.
Erwan Don
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