Subtrochanteric fracture of femur treated with proximal femoral nails – its functional outcome

Abstract

Background: Using proximal femoral nailing for sub-trochanteric fractures of femur by orthopedicains showed a mixed response in terms of functional outcome such as stability and anchoring and long term studies had also showed that it helps in preventing the recurrence of fractures. Aim: To assess the operational outcome of subtrochanteric femur fractures those are treated with proximal femoral nails in terms of function. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted for a period of one year among patients with subtrochanteric hip fracture and a total of 62 patients were included as our study subjects. Proximal femoral nail was inserted through the tip of greater trochanter exactly at the midway between its anterior and posterior extent. Based on the type of fracture distal interlocking was done either statically or dynamically to fix the fracture and the fracture fixation was confirmed through C-arm. Post-operatively all patients were followed up for a period of one year at an interval of 3 months and during each follow-up visit for the functional outcome was assessed in the form of walking, squatting, sitting and rising from chair. Results: Function outcome was almost 100% at the end of 12 months and for walking for 15 meters nearly 98% was able to perform even at 6 months and 92% performed in 6 weeks post-operatively, whereas for raising from chair and squatting 55-60% of the patients were able to perform at the end of 6 months and for squatting and raising from chair it was 20% and 45% respectively at the end of 6 weeks. Conclusion: Proximal Femoral Nailing is a good implant technique for patients with subtrochanteric fracture of the femur as it is almost like a closed technique with better stability and early mobilisation. Keywords: Proximal femoral nail, Fracture femur, Functional outcome.