Stable Pertrochanteric Fractures Research Articles

Comparison of functional outcomes of pertrochanteric fractures of the femur managed with dynamic hip screw with a locking side plate versus proximal femoral nail

Background: In current practice, proximal femoral nail (PFN) and dynamic hip screw (DHS) with locking side plate are the implant of choice in stable trochanteric fractures. Most of the deficiencies of the standard DHS have been addressed by the introduction of the Locking side plate. There are plenty of studies comparing standard DHS and PFN. But studies comparing locking DHS and PFN are scarce in current literature. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of both implants in stable pertrochanteric fractures. Methods: The objective of this study was to assess and compare the clinical outcomes of using locking DHS and PFN for fixation in 40 patients who were admitted to SUT Academy of Medical Sciences between October 2017 and April 2019. The modified Harris hip score was used to evaluate the patients' progress, and regular follow-up was conducted to compare their outcomes. Results: Among the DHS group, the mean Harris hip score was 83.05, with excellent results observed in 2 patients (10%), good results in 12 patients (60%), fair results in 5 patients (25%), and poor results in 1 patient (5%). In comparison, the PFN group had a mean Harris hip score of 85.50, with excellent results seen in 6 patients (30%), good results in 10 patients (50%), fair results in 3 patients (5%), and poor results in 1 patient (5%). Conclusions: The DHS group had more patients with good and fair outcomes, while the PFN group had more patients with excellent and good outcomes. Based on these findings, we can conclude that both the PFN and DHS with locking side plate are similarly effective in treating stable intertrochanteric fractures.

Conservative Management of Stable, Minimally Displaced Pertrochanteric Fractures: A Case Series.

Hip fractures are common, and account for significant morbidity and mortality. While surgical intervention remains the gold standard, nonoperative treatment protocols are seldom analysed and may be of value in select settings. We sought to review our conservatively treated pertrochanteric fractures and present a case series that outlined indications, treatment protocol and early outcomes. A retrospective review of medical records and radiographic imaging of all patients who presented with stable pertrochanteric fractures and were treated nonoperatively, from September 2017 to February 2021, at a Level 2 District Hospital in South Africa. Of the 242 patients who were admitted with pertrochanteric fractures, 12 (4.9%) fractures were radiographically classified as AO 31A1.2 (stable, minimally displaced) and eligible for active nonoperative management. Within 6 weeks of injury, 10 (84%) of the patients who received active nonoperative treatment achieved union. Two patients (16%) failed the treatment protocol and required surgery, with one failing during the hospital phase of the treatment protocol and the other on follow up. In the group of united fractures, the neck shaft angle was on average within 3 degrees of the contralateral hip with a range of 0 to 5 degrees. At follow-up, two (16%) patients had a measurable shortening of 5 mm at union. There was no medical morbidity associated with this protocol. In our case series, the active nonoperative management protocol, involving early mobilisation and serial radiographs, in select cases of stable pertrochanteric fractures yielded acceptable outcomes. This is of relevance in low-middle income countries with limited surgical capacity.

Biomechanical Comparisons of Trochanteric Hip Fracture Fixation Using Short-, Mid-, and Long-Length Proximal Femoral Nails.

IntroductionFor trochanteric hip fractures, proximal femoral nails (PFNs) have been frequently used for surgical treatment. No study has clarified whether length of the nail affected the wiper motion; the repetitive motion of the distal nail inside canal after surgery.MethodsThirty synthetic femora were used to biomechanically evaluate construct lateral angular movement of 3 different lengths of PFN [TFN-ADVANCED Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA) 170 (short-length), 235 (mid-length), and 300 (long-length) mm] constructs for the fixation of stable pertrochanteric fractures. Cyclic testing and radiological evaluation were performed to investigate the loosening patterns in 3 different fixation constructs. Migration along the mechanical axis during the cyclic testing from 1-100th, 100-500th, 500-1000th, 1000-1500th, and 1500-2000th cycles was compared between TFNA lengths. Also, before and after cycling changes in tip to apex distance, angulation of fracture line, and lateral angular movement of the distal stem inside the canal were compared between TFNA lengths.ResultsMigration along the mechanical axis during cyclic loading, plus changes after cycling in tip to apex distance, and fracture line angulation did not differ between TFNA lengths for the fixation of stable intertrochanteric fracture model using synthetic femora. Conversely, one-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in lateral angular movement of the distal stem inside the canal after cyclic testing between groups (1.4 ± 1.6°, .21 ± .35°, and .26 ± .57° in 170-mm short nail, 235-mm middle nail, and 300-mm long nail, respectively; P = .026), and post-hoc analysis also revealed that middle nail yielded significantly less lateral angular movement compared with short nail (P = .047) but did not significantly differ from the long nail.ConclusionsMid-length TFNA for the fixation of stable trochanteric hip fracture model using synthetic femora resulted in significantly smaller lateral angular movement of the distal stem after cyclic loading.

Standardized artificially created stable pertrochanteric femur fractures present more homogenous results compared to osteotomies for orthopaedic implant testing

BackgroundWith regard to biomechanical testing of orthopaedic implants, there is no consensus on whether artificial creation of standardized bone fractures or their simulation by means of osteotomies result in more realistic outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to artificially create and analyze in an appropriate setting the biomechanical behavior of standardized stable pertrochanteric fractures versus their simulation via osteotomizing.MethodsEight pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric femora aged 72.7 ± 14.9 years (range 48–89 years) were assigned in paired fashion to two study groups. In Group 1, stable pertrochanteric fractures AO/OTA 31-A1 were artificially created via constant force application on the anterior cortex of the femur through a blunt guillotine blade. The same fracture type was simulated in Group 2 by means of osteotomies. All femora were implanted with a dynamic hip screw and biomechanically tested in 20° adduction under progressively increasing physiologic cyclic axial loading at 2 Hz, starting at 500 N and increasing at a rate of 0.1 N/cycle. Femoral head fragment movements with respect to the shaft were monitored by means of optical motion tracking.ResultsCycles/failure load at 15° varus deformation, 10 mm leg shortening and 15° femoral head rotation around neck axis were 11324 ± 848/1632.4 ± 584.8 N, 11052 ± 1573/1605.2 ± 657.3 N and 11849 ± 1120/1684.9 ± 612.0 N in Group 1, and 10971 ± 2019/1597.1 ± 701.9 N, 10681 ± 1868/1568.1 ± 686.8 N and 10017 ± 4081/1501.7 ± 908.1 N in Group 2, respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups, p ≥ 0.233.ConclusionFrom a biomechanical perspective, by resulting in more consistent outcomes under dynamic loading, standardized artificial stable pertrochanteric femur fracture creation may be more suitable for orthopaedic implant testing compared to osteotomizing the bone.

Proximal Femoral Shortening and Varus Collapse After Fixation of "Stable" Pertrochanteric Femur Fractures.

To evaluate and compare femoral neck shortening and varus collapse in stable pertrochanteric femur fractures treated with sliding hip screws (SHSs) or cephalomedullary nails (CMNs). Retrospective review. Academic medical center. A total of 290 patients were included in the study. The average age was 82 years, and most were women. All sustained low-energy pertrochanteric femur fractures (OTA/AO A1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.2) treated operatively with SHSs or CMNs. Minimum radiographic follow-up was 3 months, with an average of 28 (range 3-162) months. CMN or SHS fixation. Varus collapse of the femoral neck-shaft angle and proximal femoral shortening. Both implants allowed some varus collapse. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significantly greater portion of patients with SHSs progressed to varus collapse >5 degrees (P = 0.02), mild horizontal shortening >5 mm (P < 0.01), and severe horizontal shortening >10 mm (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in vertical shortening (P = 0.3). There was no difference in implant failure (P = 0.5), with failure rates of 3% for cephalomedullary implants and 5% for SHS constructs. The SHS group experienced greater varus collapse and horizontal shortening. There was no difference in overall implant failure. These findings suggest that the CMN is a superior construct for maintenance of reduction in stable pertrochanteric fractures, which may lead to improved functional outcomes as patients recover. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The fake unlocked femoral nail: A configuration to avoid in stable pertrochanteric femur fractures

BackgroundIntramedullary unlocked nailing is a safe and used treatment for stable pertrocantheric fractures. Due to the femoral anterior bow of the shaft or a wrong entry point, the distal tip of the nail can be impinging the anterior cortex. This type of situation can compromise the function of the nail, leading to nonunion of the fracture, and cut-out.The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between nail impingement of the anterior cortex of the femur and cut-out and nonunion incidence in patients with pertrochanteric stable fracture treated with an IM nail in an unlocked configuration. Material and methodsA retrospective study based on medical records and imaging from the archives of our Level I academic medical center was conducted.The study included patients with proximal femoral fractures treated with short cephalomedullary nails between January 2012 and May 2015. The data collected were analyzed to a possible correlation with the healing time and occurrence of nonunion and cut-out. ResultsThe study population counted 429 cases. Applying the inclusion criteria the final series was composed of 169 patients: 112 females (66.73%) and 57 males (33.27%), with a mean age of 81.23 years (range: 67–93 years). Distal tip impingement was observed in 22 cases (13.02%). In total 16 (9.47%) postoperative complications were recorded: 8 non-union and 7 cut-outs. Consolidation was registered in 153 cases and the fracture healing time averaged 14.4 ± 3.8 weeks (range, 11–24 weeks).The cortical impingement was correlated with nonunion and cut-out (p < 0.001) Logistic regression analysis revealed jamming sign significantly affected the fracture healing time (p < 0.001). ConclusionThe occurrence of cut-out and nonunion after cephalomedullary nailing of stable pertrochanteric fractures appear to be correlated to the presence of the cortical impingement. For this reason, the fake unlocked femoral nail with the cortical impingement is a configuration to avoid in stable pertrochanteric femur fractures.

Is distal locking with short intramedullary nails necessary in stable pertrochanteric fractures? A prospective, multicentre, randomised study

We investigated whether a proximal femoral nail can be implanted without a distal locking screw in AO/OTA 31-A1 and 31-A2 pertrochanteric stable femur fractures. A multicentre, randomised study was conducted in six level-two trauma centres in our area (Puglia, Italy). A total of 333 patients received their allocated intervention (162 in the locking group [LG] and 171 in the unlocking group [UG]) and 266 patients were included in the final analysis at 1year. Our data showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups at 1-year follow-up for ability to walk, SF-36 questionnaire results, residual pain (visual analogue scale [VAS] score) and level of overall satisfaction. There were also no statistically significant differences between groups for mortality and length of hospital stay. Conversely, the UG was associated with shorter operation and fluoroscopy times, shorter surgical incision length, and less blood loss and residual thigh pain. Pertrochanteric stable fractures (31-A1, 31-A2) can be treated successfully with intramedullary nails without distal locking, reducing patient and clinical personnel radiation exposure and sanitary costs (surgery time and screws costs).

The importance of intramedullary hip nail positioning during implantation for stable pertrochanteric fractures: biomechanical analysis.

Proximal femoral fractures are among the most commonly sustained fractures. The current treatment of stable proximal femoral fractures located in trochanteric region primarily involves the use of two systems: extramedullary dynamic hip screws and intramedullary hip nails. Given that these fractures are mainly found in the elderly population, the necessity of a repeat, due to failure of the first, may jeopardize the patient's life. Decisive factors contributing to the healing of a fracture (or the failure thereof) include fracture pattern, technical implementation of the operation (i.e., position of the implant), implant's properties and its changes in relation to the surrounding bone tissue during loading. Each screw insertion variant results in damage to various load-bearing bone structures, which can be expected to influence healing quality and stability of newly formed bone. With the aid of a numerical model and finite element methods, the authors analyzed several different positions of IMHN/PFH-nails in the proximal femur, with the objective of determining positions with an increased risk of failure. In model situations, it has been shown that in stable fractures results do not depend on absolutely precise positioning and small deflections in the nails and neck screws positions do not significantly increase the risk of failure for the entire fixation. Damage to load-bearing structures relative to various implant placements does not impact the resultant overall fixation stability. Therefore, it is not necessary to re-introduce implants in the ideal position, which can lead to reduced patient radiation doses during surgery.

Assessment of complications depending on the sliding screw position - finite element method analysis.

The study was aimed at the assessment of specific complications depending on the sliding hip screw position. The finite element method in the biomechanical analysis of this implant may be used to predict the mechanical failure due to the screw position. 380 sliding screw osteosyntheses for stable pertrochanteric fractures of 365 patients were included in the study. We divided and analysed the osteosyntheses with five various screw positions and focused on the specific complications development. For the construction of the finite element model of the femur, the program ABAQUS 6.9 was used. Analyses were performed with evaluation of the bone response to the different screw locations (strain and stress) with maximum low-cycle high stress loading. The specific complication rate was 10 %, with the re-operation rate of 4.2 %. If placing the screw in the middle third of the neck it reduced significantly strain patterns of the plate and screw. A screw position in the superior third of the neck significantly increased the strain of the plate and screw by more than 63 %. The conformity in the clinical and biomechanical analyses was observed. The finite element model can be considered as valid in predicting sliding screw failures (Tab. 4, Fig. 8, Ref. 30).

Internal fixation of pertrochanteric fractures using DHS with a two-hole side-plate

Pertrochanteric fracture in a group of 41 patients was internally fixed using a DHS with a two-hole side-plate. There were 20 male and 21 female patients with a mean age of 74 years. Thirty-two patients were followed up for more than one year and their final results were evaluated. There were 30 stable (31A1) and only two unstable (31A2) fractures. The average surgical time was 28 minutes, the average length of incision was 5.5 cm. All the patients, with one exception, healed without complications in anatomical position with good function of the hip joint. The only complication was caused by pulling-out of the plate from the femur in the fourth postoperative week when the patient (31A2 fracture) fell out of bed. A DHS with a four-hole side-plate was used at reoperation; subsequently the fracture had healed. Based on the results in this series of patients, the authors recommend fixation of stable pertrochanteric fractures with DHS and a two-hole side-plate. As proven by the authors, the benefit of DHS with a two-hole side-plate as compared to DHS with a four-hole side-plate is a shorter surgical time (28 and 36 minutes, respectively).

Sport related proximal femoral fractures: a retrospective review of 31 cases treated in an eight year period

In an eight year period, 31 patients with proximal femoral fractures resulting from sports accidents were treated by implantation of either a Gamma nail or a dynamic hip screw. Return...

Pertrochanteric fractures of the femur treated with a Küntscher trochanter nail.

Thirty-nine patients with pertrochanteric fractures were treated with the Küntscher trochanter nail. Six were males and 33 females. Their mean age was 76 years. Excellent or good results of treatment were recorded in 25 cases, and good union of the fracture was noted in 19 patients within 4 months and in 15 cases as early as 2 months after the operation. The primary mortality rate was of the same order as with other methods of nailing, 15% in this series. The operation is easy and short, and is suitable at least for stable pertrochanteric fractures of elderly patients.