Treatment of reverse oblique trochanteric femoral fractures with proximal femoral nail

Abstract

Treatment of reverse oblique trochanteric femoral fractures is still challenging. We present the results of our proximal nailing surgery performed for reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fractures using two lag screws and evaluated the quality of the reduction, operative time, complications and functional status of the patients. Fifteen patients with AO/OTA 31 A-A3 fractures were treated by proximal femoral nailing in our trauma centre. The mean Harris hip score was 74.66 (range 65-96) and the mean Barthel activity score was 15.71 (range 12-20). The mean duration of surgery was 48 minutes and the average consolidation time was 8.6 weeks. No intraoperative complications or postoperative technical failures and no stress shielding as evidenced by the lack of cortical hypertrophy at the level of the tip of the implant were detected. Intramedullary nailing with proximal femoral nails may be a good option in the treatment of reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fractures. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.