Clinical and functional outcome of proximal femoral nailing in unstable intertrochanteric fractures

Author(s): Dr. R Sreeraj and Dr. Jojo Inassi

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and functional outcome of proximal femoral nailing in 40 patients who had attended our institution, Government medical college Kozhikode between January 2015 and January 2016 with unstable intertrochanteric fractures. They were followed up for one year. Clinical and functional outcome was assessed according to the Harris hip score. Most of the patients belong to AO/OTA type 31A23 (47.5%) followed 31A22 (27.5%). The average blood loss was found to be between 90 ml -150ml with an average of 103ml. Most of the patients had a radiological union by 16-22 weeks with maximum number of radiological union occurring in 16 weeks. There were no intra operative complications. Post operatively 3 patients (7.5%) were having z effect, 4 patients varus collapse, 1 had abutment of nail, there was one case of deep wound infection which healed after debridement and antibiotics. We had excellent result in 11 patients, good result in 18, fair in 7 and poor in 4. From our study we conclude PFN is a very good implant for fixation of unstable inter trochanteric fractures in elderly. The procedure takes only short time with less blood loss. Ideal reduction without distraction is important to prevent mechanical complications.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2018.v4.i1m.125