Prevalence of Intertrochanteric Fractures of the Femur and Comparison of Radiological Outcomes when Managed with Proximal Femoral Nail vs the Dynamic Hip Screw with Locking Side Plate in the Indian Population

Abstract

Background: Currently, the preferred implants for stable trochanteric fractures are the Proximal Femoral Nail and the Dynamic Hip Screw with Locking Side Plate. The Locking side plate has resolved many of the limitations associated with the standard DHS. Although numerous studies have compared the standard DHS and PFN, there is a scarcity of literature on the prevalence of IT fractures in the Indian population and comparison of Locking DHS and PFN in term of radiological union times. The purpose of this study is to assess and compare the effectiveness of both implants in stable intertrochanteric fractures. Methods: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of intertrochanteric fractures in the Indian population and compare the radiological outcomes of using Locking DHS and PFN for fixation in 40 patients who were admitted to SUT Academy of Medical Sciences between October 2019 and April 2021. Serial x-rays were used to evaluate the patients' progress, and regular follow-up was conducted to compare their outcomes. Results: All 40 fractures united. The time to union ranged from 16 to 30 weeks, with an average of 22.0 weeks in the DHS group and 19.40 weeks in the PFN group. %). 3 complications were noted. 2 in the DHS group, namely malunion and superficial infection and 1 delayed union in the PFN group. Conclusions: The DHS group relatively took more time to achieve union while the PFN group achieved union faster. However our finding was not statistically significant. Based on these findings, we can conclude that both the Proximal Femoral Nail and Dynamic Hip Screw with Locking Side Plate are similarly effective in treating stable intertrochanteric fractures.