Publication:

Functional and radiological outcome of proximal femoral nailing versus dynamic hip screw in unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures

Background Intertrochanteric femur fractures account half of the hip fractures in elderly, the other majority being neck of femur fracture. 35-40% of intertrochanteric are unstable (Tronzo’s classification type 3, 4 and 5). The dynamic hip screw (DHS) has achieved widespread acclaim in the last few years and is currently considered to be the standard device for outcome assessment. Though, the DHS has been shown to produce good results, but complications are frequent, particularly in unstable inter-trochanteric fracture. The advantage of Proximal Femur Nailing fixation is that it provides a more biomechanically stable construct by reducing the distance between hip joint and implant. The goal of this study is to assess the clinical and radiographical outcomes of the DHS (load bearing implant) and PFN (load sharing implant) for the treatment of Intertrochanteric hip fractures.

Methods We assessed the same in 52 cases of unstable femur fracture 26 operated with DHS and 26 with PFN and followed up with sequential radiographs for radiological union and sequential interview with Harris hip score calculation for functional outcome assessment.

Results Patients operated for unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture with Proximal femoral nailing had better Harris hip scores (excellent 4, good 14) compared to dynamic hip screw group (Excellent 6, good 5) and earlier weight bearing (At 18 weeks, 100% in PFN compared to 65.5% in DHS). PFN has lesser incidence of postoperative complications (15% in PFN compared to 38% in DHS).

Conclusions The proximal femoral nail has better functional outcome in terms of Harris hip score and early radiologic union in unstable intertrochanteric fractures of femur.