STUDY OF TROCHANTERIC FRACTURES TREATED WITH A PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL: OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Intertrochanteric fractures often occur in older patients with osteoporosis and their incidence will continue to increase due to increased life expectancy. This study underlined the outcome of the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur.

Methodology: We included prospectively 100 patients with trochanteric fractures treated with the proximal femoral nail. The average age of the patients was 65  years and three out of four were female. The most frequent fracture type was A2 (55%). Clinical and radiographic controls were performed at 1, 3 and 6 months.

Results: There were technical complications during the operation in 8% of the cases, complications in the immediate postoperative period in 25% and late complications were detected in 5% of patients. Previous walking ability was recovered by 76%. The surgical technique is not complex, the number of complications recorded was acceptable and the overall results obtained are comparable with other fracture systems.

Conclusion: In view of the results obtained from the present study, we believe that PFN emerges as a valid option for the treatment of femoral fractures of the trochanteric region, due to the simplicity and lack of violence of the surgical procedure and the low level of surgery. technical problems. It is concluded from our study that use of PFN for treatment of intertrochanteric fractures provides a good functional outcome along with advantages in terms of minimal blood loss, early weight bearing and few complications. It is the implant of choice for unstable intertronchanteric fractures.

Keywords: intertrochanteric fractures, osteoporosis, proximal femoral nail