Functional outcome of intertrochanteric fractures treated with dynamic hip screw and influence of tad over it - A prospective study

Author(s): Naikawadi GH, Bhavi SB and Amith SK

Abstract: Fractures of proximal femur are amongst the most often encountered fractures by orthopedic surgeons. Many treatment techniques are described in literature, but internal fixation with Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) is the gold standard. Although many factors influence the outcome of DHS, Tip Apex Distance (TAD) is the most important factor that is under the control of operating surgeon. Between December 2011 and June 2013, 41 patients with intertrochanteric fractures, who got admitted in H.S.K Hospital and research center, S.N Medical College, Bagalkot in the department of Orthopedics, were studied. The value of tip apex distance in the treatment of inter-trochanteric fractures treated with dynamic hip screw and its influence on the functional outcome, according to Harris Hip Score was assessed. Out of the 41 cases, TAD < 25mm was achieved in 34 cases and >25mm in 7 cases. At 12 months follow up, 29 patients had excellent to good outcome. Five patients with TAD >25mm had fair to poor outcome. Internal fixation with Dynamic Hip Screw is one of the choices for treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures. This study shows that TAD <25mm significantly correlates with satisfactory outcome.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2017.v3.i1f.64