Management of Subtrochanteric Fracture Femur- by ProximalFemoralNailing

Background: Numerous variations of intramedullary nailing have been evolved over the years for stable fixation and early mobilisation of subtrochanteric fracture, out of which one is proximal femoral nail. Aims and objectives –We conducted this study with an objective to evaluate the results of internal fixation of subtrochanteric fractures of the femur with proximal femoral nail – AO type Design.Methods:This was a prospective study carried out at our tertiary care institute on 30 patients who had suffered subtrochanteric fracture and were subsequently treated with a proximal femoral nail (PFN). Proximal femoral nail was inserted through the tip of greater trochanter. 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 by modified Harris Hip Score, was assessed in the form of walking, squatting, sitting and rising from chair.Results:Modified Harris hip score was used for the evaluation of results in our study which showed excellent result in 21 patients (70%), good results in 3 cases(10%), fair results in 3 patient (10%) and poor results in 3 cases(10%). The mean Harris hip score in our study was 90.6.Conclusion:PFN is an intramedullary load sharing implant. Reduction and management of subtrochanteric fractures is challenging in traumatology. Proximal femoral nailing spanning whole femur with proximal and distal locking appears to be a satisfactory implant in management of fractures of subtrochanteric femur.

Development and Validation of a Post-Operative Non-Union Risk Score for Subtrochanteric Femur Fractures

Background: Our objective was to develop and validate a predictive model for non-union following a subtrochanteric fracture of the femur. Methods: Following institutional board approval, 316 consecutive patients presenting to our institution (84 non-unions) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were retrospectively identified. To identify potential unadjusted associations with progression to non-union, simple logistic regression models were used, followed by a revised adjusted model of multiple logistic regression. Results: Having established the risk factors for non-union, the coefficients were used to produce a risk score for predicting non-union. To identify the high-risk patients in the early post-operative period, self-dynamisation was excluded. The revised scoring system was the sum of the following: diabetes (6); deep wound infection (35); simple or severe comminution (13); presence of an atypical fracture (14); lateral cortex gap size ≥5 mm (11), varus malreduction (5–10 degrees) (9); varus malreduction (>10 degrees) (20). On the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve, the area under the curve (0.790) demonstrated very good discriminatory capability of the scoring system, with good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow test; p = 0.291). Moreover, 5-fold cross validation confirmed good fit of the model and internal validity (accuracy 0.806; Kappa 0.416). The cut-point determined by Youden’s formula was calculated as 18. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the risk of non-union can be reliably estimated in patients presenting with a subtrochanteric fracture, from the immediate post-operative period. The resulting non-union risk score can be used not only to identify the high-risk patients early, offering them appropriate consultation and in some cases surgical intervention, but also informs surgeons of the modifiable surgery related factors that contribute to this risk.

Finite Element Analysis of Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-Rotation Blade Combined with Cerclage Wire Fixation for Osteoporotic Subtrochanteric Fracture

Osteoporosis is a type of systemic bone disease wherein the patient is highly vulnerable to bone fracture because of the decrease in bone density and quality, destruction of the bone microstructure, and an increase in the bone fragility. Most of the osteoporotic subtrochanteric fractures are unstable in nature, requiring the conservative treatment of a long-duration bed rest and traction; this condition is prone to complications resultant from extended bed rest, often leading to death. Presently, the preferred treatment is internal fixation, such as sliding hip screws, blade plates, locking compression plates, and femoral intramedullary nails [1-8]. Owing to its valuable biological properties, intramedullary nail can be used for the optimal fixation of subtrochanteric fractures [9-11]. Unless any contraindication exist, immediate tolerable weight-bearing activities may be allowed to patients with subtrochanteric femur fractures who have been treated with statically locked intramedullary nails [12]. Considering that the proximal femoral fracture occurs under the traction of the surrounding muscles, it is extremely challenging to perform precision reduction and fixation in the surgery. Inappropriate reduction and selection of internal fixation can easily lead to failure of internal fixation, resulting in complications such as lower limb shortening deformity, hip varus deformity, and nonunion of fracture. Presently, good outcomes have been reported with the use of PFNA combined with cerclage wire for the treatment of subtrochanteric fracture of the femur [13-15]. There are few studies to help decide whether PFNA should be combined with cerclage wire or used alone according the Seinsheimer classification of subtrochanteric fractures.

Open Reduction in Subtrochanteric Femur Fractures Is Not Accompanied by a Higher Rate of Complications

Background and Objectives: Hip fractures are among the most typical geriatric fractures. Subtrochanteric fractures are considered difficult to treat, and, to date, there is no consensus on the optimal surgical treatment. Materialis and Methods: We analyzed data from the Registry for Geriatric Trauma, which includes patients ≥ 70 years old with hip fractures or periprosthetic fractures requiring surgery (21,734 patients in 2017–2019). For this study, we analyzed only the subgroup of patients with a subtrochanteric fracture. We analyzed the difference between closed and open surgical methods on a range of outcomes, including mortality, mobility, length of acute hospital stay, and the need for surgical revisions. Results: A total of 506 patients with subtrochanteric fractures were analyzed in this study. The median age was 85 years (interquartile range of 81–89). About 21.1% (n = 107) were operated on with a closed technique, 73.3% (n = 371) with open reduction without using a cerclage, and 5.53% (n = 28) with open reduction with the additional use of one or more cerclage wires. A total of 3.56% (n = 18) of the patients had complications requiring operative revision, most commonly soft tissue interventions (open vs. closed reduction—3.26% vs. 4.67%) (p = 0.687). Patients treated with open reduction were significantly more mobile 7 days after surgery (p = 0.008), while no significant effects on mortality (p = 0.312), length of hospital stay (p = 0.968), or surgical complications (p = 0.687) were found. Conclusion: Proper reduction is the gold standard practice for successful union in subtrochanteric fractures. This study shows that open reduction is not associated with a higher complication rate but does lead to increased mobility 7 days after operation. Therefore, in case of doubt, a good reduction should be aimed for, even using open techniques.