Timing of proximal femoral shortening in the early postoperative period after cephalomedullary nailing of hip fractures

Abstract

ObjectivesExamine the timing of proximal femoral shortening (PFS) after cephalomedullary nailing of hip fractures. MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 21 patients ≥50 years old with pertrochanteric hip fractures treated with a short cephalomedullary nail (CMN) was performed. Abductor lever arm shortening, femoral height shortening, and PFS were measured. ResultsMean PFS at 10–21 days postoperatively was 5.54 mm, compared to 11.31 mm at final follow-up. The percentage of total PFS that occurred within 10–21 days postoperatively was 53.9%. ConclusionApproximately half of total PFS occurs within 1.5–3 weeks and is notable on radiographs by the first postoperative visit.