Locked plating versus cephalomedullary nailing of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures

Biomechanics of Osteoporotic Fracture Fixation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Fractures of osteoporotic bone in elderly individuals need special attention. This manuscript reviews the current strategies to provide sufficient fracture fixation stability with a particular focus on fractures that frequently occur in elderly individuals with osteoporosis and require full load-bearing capacity, i.e., pelvis, hip, ankle, and peri-implant fractures.

RECENT FINDINGS

Elderly individuals benefit immensely from immediate mobilization after fracture and thus require stable fracture fixation that allows immediate post-operative weight-bearing. However, osteoporotic bone has decreased holding capacity for metallic implants and is thus associated with a considerable fracture fixation failure rate both short term and long term. Modern implant technologies with dedicated modifications provide sufficient mechanical stability to allow immediate weight-bearing for elderly individuals. Depending on fracture location and fracture severity, various options are available to reinforce or augment standard fracture fixation systems. Correct application of the basic principles of fracture fixation and the use of modern implant technologies enables mechanically stable fracture fixation that allows early weight-bearing and results in timely fracture healing even in patients with osteoporosis.

A biomechanical comparison of three fixation techniques in osteoporotic reverse oblique intertrochanteric femur fracture with fragmented lateral cortex

BACKGROUND

The treatment of the reverse oblique osteoporotic femur fractures is still problematic and can be complicated especially that are accompanied by a fragmented lateral cortex.

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare three different internal fixation methods in the osteosynthesis of osteoporotic reverse oblique intertrochanteric femur fracture models with a fragmented lateral cortex.

STUDY DESIGN

Biomechanical experiment study.

METHODS

A total of 24 osteoporotic femur models were obtained and divided into three groups [Group A: Proximal femoral nail (PFN), Group B: 95° angled blade plate (ABP), and Group C: proximal femoral anatomic locking plate (PFLP)] with each group which include eight bones. A standard fracture configuration was created as a reverse oblique intertrochanteric fracture and fixed with these implants. After fixation, all femur constructs were tested with an Instron 5800R tester (Instron, Canton, MA) in the biomechanics laboratory with axial loading and bending forces to assess axial and rotational stiffness and failure load. Displacement over 10 mm and angulation greater than 10° in the fracture line were considered as failure.

RESULTS

In all tests, ABP had statistically poorer results in comparison to the PFN and PFLP group. PFLP fixation had better biomechanical fixation results in comparison to the PFN group, although the results were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Orthopaedic surgeons should keep in mind that lateral cortex comminution brings further instability to these reverse oblique intertrochanteric osteoporotic fractures and high rates of failure may be encountered due to this instability. PFLP fixation may be an alternative fixation method biomechanically for these instable fractures.

High failure rate of proximal femoral locking plates in fixation of trochanteric fractures

Background

The aim of this study was to report our previous results of treatments for trochanteric fractures with proximal femoral locking plates (PFLP) and to analyze the underlying mechanisms and possible risk factors associated with the high failure rate of this technique.

Methods

From January 2010 to October 2014, 273 consecutive patients with trochanteric femoral fractures were identified, and 95 patients (with 97 fractures) ultimately met the inclusion criteria. Clinical records regarding demographic features and intraoperative data including total incision length, operation time, blood loss, and failures detected in radiographs were documented and assessed. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0 software.

Results

The stable group (AO/OTA 31 A1 and A2.1) had less blood loss than the unstable group (AO/OTA 31 A2.2, A2.3, and A3). The ultimate failure rate was 36% in 97 fractures. The obvious complications in this study included nonunion in 7 (7.2%) fractures, implant breakage in 4 (4.1%) fractures, varus deformity in 34 (35%) fractures, and loosening of the proximal femoral screw in 21 (21.6%) fractures. Six patients received reoperations. The total failure rate in the stable group was 17% and was 50% in the unstable group. In patients greater than 60 years old in the unstable group, the failure rate was 60.5%.

Conclusions

High failure rates of PFLP were observed in patients with trochanteric fracture, especially in patients who were greater than 60 years old with unstable fracture types. PFLP was not an appropriate treatment for trochanteric fractures.

Reduction techniques for difficult subtrochanteric fractures

Subtrochanteric fractures can result from high-energy trauma in young patients or from a fall or minor trauma in the elderly. Intramedullary nails are currently the most commonly used implants for the stabilization of these fractures. However, the anesthetic procedure for the patients, the surgical reduction and osteosynthesis for the fractures are challenging. The anesthetic management of orthopedic trauma patients should be based upon various parameters that must be evaluated before the implementation of any anesthetic technique. Surgery- and patient-related characteristics and possible comorbidities must be considered during the pre-anesthetic evaluation. Adequate fracture reduction and proper nail entry point are critical. Understanding of the deforming forces acting on various fracture patterns and knowledge of surgical reduction techniques are essential in obtaining successful outcomes. This article discusses the intraoperative reduction techniques for subtrochanteric fractures in adults and summarizes tips and tricks that the readers may find useful and educative.

Implant options for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the hip

Aims

The aim of this paper is to review the evidence relating to the anatomy of the proximal femur, the geometry of the fracture and the characteristics of implants and methods of fixation of intertrochanteric fractures of the hip.

Materials and Methods

Relevant papers were identified from appropriate clinical databases and a narrative review was undertaken.

Results

Stable, unstable, and subtrochanteric intertrochanteric fractures vary widely in their anatomical and biomechanical characteristics, as do the implants used for their fixation. The optimal choice of implant addresses the stability of the fracture and affects the outcome.

Conclusion

The treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the hip has evolved along with changes in the design of the implants used to fix them, but there remains conflicting evidence to guide the choice of implant. We advocate fixation of 31A1 fractures with a sliding hip screw and all others with an intramedullary device. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:128–33.