A prospective study of surgical management of intertrochanteric femur fracture in adults with short proximal femoral nail

Abstract

The AO/ASIF proximal femoral nail (PFN) is a new device designed for the treatment of the unstable intertrochanteric femoral fracture. This study reports the outcome in such fractures treated using the short PFN (proximal femoral nail). All patients presenting to our department with unstable trochanteric femoral fractures were treated operatively using the short proximal femoral nail. A total of 40 patients were included in the study and were followed-up at regular interval of 1, 3, 6 and 12 month. The functional outcome of the patients was assessed by modified Harris hip score at regular intervals.Results: All 40 patients treated with short pfn. In this study first follow up was at 4 weeks, radiological union was noted in 9(22.5%) patients. At second follow up at 12 weeks, clinical union was noted in 85% of patients and radiological union noted in 90% patients. At 6 month follow up all 40 patients showed signs of clinical and radiological union. Post-op 1 patient has superficial wound infection and 3(7.5%) patients operated with short PFN showed varus deformity. Patient were functionally evaluated by modified Harris Hip Score at regular follow-ups. In our study 87.5% of cases showed good to excellent results and rest 12.5% of cases showed fair results.Conclusions: It is concluded from our study that short proximal femoral nail is an stable and suitable implant for Proximal Femoral Fractures and its use in unstable intertrochantric fractures is very encouraging.