Unstable Pertrochanteric Hip Fractures Research Articles

91 Yaşındaki Aktif Hastada Unstabil Pertorakhanterik Kırık Nedeniyle Uygulanan Proksimal Femoral Çivinin (PFN) Proksimalden İki Kez Kırılması

With prolonged life expectancy in society and an increasing elderly patient population, pertrochanterıc hip fractures have become more common. Particularly in unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures, Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN) is often preferred for internal rigid fixation of the fracture and early mobilization of the patient. Implant failure findings such as relapse or fracture of the proximal sliding screw after PFN, fracture of the distal screw, and fracture of the PFN from the proximal or distal area are rare. We present the case of an advanced-age active female patient with an unstable pertrochanteric hip fracture who developed two proximal PFN fractures after PFN, and we document the two revisions with PFN+ graft we introduced for her. We present this case because in the literature we had not encountered any 91-year-old patient who developed proximal PFN fractures twice without falling or high-energy trauma and who achieved union of the fracture with through revisions performed twice with PFN and graft.

Risk of shortening in operatively treated proximal femur fractures with cephalomedullary nails with dynamically versus statically locked helical blades

IntroductionCephalomedullary nails (CMN) have proven to be effective for the fixation of unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures, but limited data exists regarding the degree of shortening that occurs with nailing systems that offer “dynamically” versus “statically” locked helical blades. This study aimed to determine the incidence, timing, and amount of postoperative fracture shortening in patients with pertrochanteric hip fractures treated with “dynamically” versus “statically” locked helical blades. MethodsA retrospective review was performed on patients requiring operative fixation of pertrochanteric fractures. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 55 or older, low energy mechanism of injury, primary surgical open reduction and internal fixation of the injury, surgery performed by a fellowship-trained orthopaedic traumatologist, and radiographic follow up until healing or failure (minimum of 3 months). Quantification of fracture shortening was determined using the lateral screw protuberance method. Fracture shortening measurements were calculated from immediate post-operative films and subsequent radiographs at each follow-up visit. Results222 patients met inclusion criteria (123 using Depuy Synthes Trochanteric Fixation Nail proximal femoral nailing system (TFN) with static locking; 65 TFN with dynamic locking; 23 using Depuy Synthes Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced proximal nailing system (TFNA) with static locking; and 11 TFNA with dynamic locking). When comparing the final screw protuberance, the TFN dynamic (10.31 mm), TFNA static (9.52 mm), and TFNA dynamic (7.02 mm) groups were found to be significantly less compared to the TFN static cohort (11.67 mm; p < 0.001). The distribution of fracture shortening was found to be significant (p < 0.01). Interval measurements of fracture shortening by repeated measures of ANOVA within groups showed statistically significant increases in screw protuberance for the TFN static (p < 0.001), TFN dynamic (p < 0.001), and TFNA static (p < 0.01) cohorts within the first 60 days postoperatively. The TFNA with dynamic locking group was found to have statistically significant increases until the first 100 days post-operatively (p < 0.02). DiscussionThe incidence of fracture shortening remains high even with the use of cephalomedullary nails, regardless of dynamization status. Current pertrochanteric fixation constructs continue to favor fracture healing at the direct expense of fracture shortening.

Intramedullary nailing confers an increased risk of medial migration compared to dynamic hip screw fixation in unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures

IntroductionMedial migration of the femoral neck element (FNE) superomedially against gravity with respect to the intramedullary component of the cephalomedullary nail is a complication increasingly recognized to cause femoral head cut-out in intramedullary nailing of pertrochanteric hip fractures. Although cut-outs are common to both intra- and extramedullary fixation, especially in unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures, FNE medial migration in sliding hip screws continues to remain sparse despite increased awareness of the phenomenon. This study aims to investigate whether intramedullary nailing is biomechanically predisposed to FNE medial migration compared to extramedullary fixation with sliding hip screws to account for the discrepancy in reported FNE medial migration rates. Materials and methodsTwelve fourth-generation synthetic femurs (Sawbones) with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were divided into 2 groups (n=6 per group). Fracture fixation was performed using the Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA, Synthes) (n=6) in the first group, and the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS, Synthes) (n=6) in the second group. Both groups were subjected to bidirectional cyclic loading (600N compression loading, 120N tensile loading) at 2 Hz for 5000 cycles. The medial migration distance (MMD) was recorded at the end of the testing cycles. ResultsThe mean MMD in the PFNA group was 4.56mm (SD 0.69mm) with consistent reproduction of medial migration across all constructs tested. This was significantly more compared to the MMD of 1.17mm (SD 0.69mm) in the DHS group (p<0.001). ConclusionIntramedullary nailing of unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures is inherently predisposed to FNE medial migration making it more susceptible to consequent cut-out compared to fixation with the DHS.

Lesser Trochanteric Fragments in Unstable Pertrochanteric Hip Fractures: A Morphological Study Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography (3-D CT) Reconstruction.

BackgroundThe lesser trochanter (LT) posterior cortical extension (LTPE) fragment is important for joint stability during reconstruction in unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures. This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of the LT fragments using three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) reconstruction and to compare clinical outcomes in different subgroups of 31A2 fractures.Material/MethodsA retrospective study included CT images of 58 cases of 31A2 type unstable pertrochanteric fractures, using the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen and Orthopedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification. After 3-D CT reconstruction, all the displaced fragments were reduced and the morphologic parameters of the LT fragments were measured.ResultsAt the mid-level of the LT, the mean cortical extension of the LT fragment was 33.5 mm in the posterior wall (83%), 19.0 mm in the medial wall (53%). The mean distal cortical extension from the lower edge of the LT was 13.0 mm. The LT fragment occupied 38% of the whole cortical circumference. Comparison of the subgroups showed that the LT fragment of A2.3 had a larger cortical extension in the posterior, medial, and distal cortex. The mean fracture collapse was 4.7 mm in A2.2 fractures and 5.4 mm in A2.3 fractures (p=0.311). Despite the increased size of the LT fragment in subtype A2.3 fracture compared with subtype A2.2 fracture, this did not influence the clinical outcome.ConclusionsThe 3-D morphology of the LT fragment from CT imaging provided a better understanding of the characteristics of subgroups of unstable pertrochanteric fractures, which may improve and guide implant choice.

Fracture reduction with positive medial cortical support: a key element in stability reconstruction for the unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures.

PurposeTo introduce the concept of fracture reduction with positive medial cortical support and its clinical and radiological correlation in geriatric unstable pertrochanteric fractures.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 127 patients (32 men and 95 women, with mean age 78.7 years) with AO/OTA 31A2.2 and 2.3 hip fractures treated with cephalomedullary nail (PFNA-II or Gamma-3) between July 2010 and June 2013 was performed. They were classified into three groups according the grade of medial cortical support in postoperative fracture reduction (positive, neutral, and negative). The positive cortex support was defined that the medial cortex of the head–neck fragment displaced and located a little bit superomedially to the medial cortex of the shaft. If the neck cortex is located laterally to the shaft, it is negative with no cortical buttress, and if the two cortices contact smoothly, it is in neutral position. The demographic baseline, postoperative radiographic femoral neck–shaft angle and neck length, rehabilitation progress and functional recovery scores of each group were recorded and compared.ResultsThere were 89 cases (70 %) in positive, 26 in neutral, and 12 in negative support. No statistical differences were found between the three groups among patient age, sex ratio, prefracture score of activity of daily living, walking ability score, ASA physical risk score, number of medical comorbidities, osteoporosis Singh index, fracture reduction quality (Garden alignments), and the position of lag screw or helical blade in femoral head (TAD). In follow-up, patients in positive medial cortical support reduction group had the least loss in neck–shaft angle and neck length, and got ground-walking much earlier than negative reduction group, with good functional outcomes and less hip–thigh pain presence.ConclusionFracture reduction with nonanatomic positive medial cortical support allows limited sliding of the head–neck fragment to contact with the femur shaft and achieve secondary stability, providing a good mechanical environment for fracture healing.

Treatment of Unstable Pertrochanteric Fractures with a Long Intramedullary Nail

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiographic results of treatment of unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures in which the fracture line is extended distally or the width of the canal is wide using a long intramedullary nail. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to January 2010, we conducted an analysis of 20 cases of unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures (over AO/OTA 31 A2.2) treated using a long intramedullary nailing and followed up for more than 12 months. Using postoperative and last follow-up radiographs, we measured TAD, Cleveland index, neck-shaft angle, sliding length of the lag screw, and union time. Clinically, we measured the operation time, the amount of transfusion, and Parker and Palmer’s mobility score. Results: The mean bony union time was 16.4 weeks(10-21 weeks). The mean sliding length of the lag screw was 4.3 mm(1-10 mm) and the mean varus angulation after surgery was 5.1。(3-8。). The mean operative time was 118 min(60-140 min), and the mean transfusion amount was 2.0 pint(0-4 pint). According to Parker and Palmer’s mobility score, mean preoperative score was 7.5 points and mean postoperative score at last follow-up was 6.9 points. Conclusion: In treatment of unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures, when the fracture line was extended to below the lesser trochanteric level or the medullary canal width was wide, use of a long intramedullary nail showed excellent clinical and radiologic results and can be regarded as a good treatment option.

New Concepts in Pertrochanteric Hip Fracture Treatment

Newer concepts may change the general understanding of unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures and possibly improve the ability to restore function to patients.

The Lateral Trochanteric Wall

Pertrochanteric hip fractures still are a major orthopaedic challenge, and those that are unstable have the poorest prognosis. Fracture collapse is one of the postoperative complications reported in association with these fractures. My objective was to evaluate possible causes for pertrochanteric hip fracture collapse. Twenty-four patients with documented postoperative fracture collapse were evaluated retrospectively. The findings showed unequivocally that in all patients, this complication followed fracture of the lateral wall and resulted in protracted period of disability until fracture healing. The importance of the integrity of the lateral wall for event-free fracture healing clearly is indicated, and fracture of the lateral wall should be avoided in any fixation procedure. The presence of the lateral wall on the preoperative radiograph should be a major factor in determining the internal fixation device used for fracture stabilization. In unstable pertrochanteric hip fractures, the traditional description of the posteromedial fracture part as the most important prognostic factor should be revised to include the structural description of the lateral wall. Special caution should be taken when drilling at the base of this often delicate structure.