Management of unstable pertrochanteric fractures with proximal femoral locking compression plates and affect of neck-shaft angle on functional outcomes

Functional and Radiological Outcomes of Unstable Proximal Femur Fractures Fixed With Anatomical Proximal Locking Compression Plate

Introduction

Peritrochanteric fractures are the most frequent fractures of the proximal femur that accounts for nearly half of all proximal femur fractures. They are a major cause of disability in the elderly. The aim is to study the functional and radiological outcome of unstable proximal femur fractures fixed with proximal femur locking compression plate (PF-LCP) and its complications. Unstable proximal femur fracture patients operated with proximal femur locking compression plate were followed up functionally by Harris Hip Score and radiologically by neck-shaft angle measure.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of 30 patients with unstable peritrochanteric fractures treated with PF-LCP in the first-level trauma center was conducted between 2015 and 2019. Stable peritrochanteric, pediatric and open fractures, and polytrauma were excluded. As a mid-term follow-up, functional and radiological outcomes were assessed at six weeks, three months, six months, and 12 months. Data was analyzed using a chi-square test, and results were compared with available western literature. 

Results

Thirty patients with unstable peritrochanteric fractures operated between 2015 and 2019, complying with our inclusion criteria, were analyzed. All patients were operated by the same surgeon and were available for a mid-term follow-up (12 months). Mean radiological union time was 12.5+/-2 weeks, with 24 patients achieving union between 10-15 weeks, three patients had union little more than 15 weeks. Two patients had non-union and required re-surgery. Functional results were assessed in the 30 patients available for follow-up using Harris Hip Score. Excellent results were seen in 17, good in seven, fair in three, and poor in three patients.

Conclusions

The choice of implant used to manage unstable peritrochanteric fractures has always been a debatable subject in our orthopedic fraternity. In our study, we used the anatomic, fixed-angle plates in peritrochanteric fractures and obtained significant functional and radiological outcomes over a midterm follow-up. We recommend PF-LCP as a good, stable alternative in the treatment of peritrochanteric femoral fractures. We consider that fracture pattern and extent in the proximal femur have a definite influence in determining the implant of choice. It provides good-to-excellent bone healing with reduced complications and better biomechanical stability.

Use of an Angled Blade Plate for 31A3 Intertrochanteric Fractures

BACKGROUND

A subgroup of pertrochanteric fractures-namely, the AO/OTA 31A3 fracture-continues to be a difficult problem to treat, even with cephalomedullary nails. We present the results for 26 patients with a 31A3 fracture treated with the angled blade plate.

METHODS

The records of 26 consecutive patients with a 31A3 fracture that was treated operatively with the angled blade plate device between 2007 and 2012 at our center were reviewed, and the patients were contacted for follow-up. The functional outcome (traumatic hip rating score) and radiographic outcome (the neck-shaft angle at the time of fixation and final follow-up) were obtained for 20 of the 26 patients at a minimum follow-up of 1 year.

RESULTS

All 26 patients had primary surgery. At final review, 2 patients had died and 4 had been lost to follow-up. Of the 4 patients lost to follow-up, 2 had revision of the fixation with the angled blade plate. Of the 20 patients with follow-up, 1 had malreduction and implant failure but eventually had healing after revision of the fixation with the angled blade plate. The mean traumatic hip rating score at the time of follow-up was 50.0 with 4, 14, and 2 patients having excellent, good, and failed outcomes, respectively. The mean neck-shaft angle at the time of final union was 126.16°, which was an average of 4° less than that on the unaffected side. However, this did not correlate with functional outcome. There was no significant difference between the immediate postoperative and final neck-shaft angles.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that blade plate fixation for 31A3 fractures is associated with low rates of failure (15%), revision surgery (15%), and infection (15%), which are comparable with the results of nail fixation (range, 5% to 12%) and superior to those of sliding hip screw fixation. This large series demonstrates that the angled blade plate can be utilized for these complex fractures and should be part of the armamentarium for these injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Femoral Neck Shaft Angle and Management of Proximal Femur Fractures: Is the Contralateral Femur a Reliable Template?

OBJECTIVES

To (1) assess interrater reliability of a novel technique for measurement of neck shaft angle (NSA); (2) use pelvic anteroposterior (AP) radiographs of unaffected hips to assess variability of NSA; and (3) evaluate the side-to-side variability of NSA to determine reliability of using the contralateral hip as a template.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic Level 1 regional trauma center.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred six femora (203 patients) with standing AP pelvis radiographs were selected. Exclusions included lack of acceptable imaging, congenital abnormalities, or prior hip surgery.

INTERVENTION

An AP pelvis radiograph in the standing position.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Bilateral NSA measurements obtained in a blinded fashion between 2 reviewers. Pearson coefficients and coefficient of determination assessed correlations and variability between left and right NSA. Concordance correlation coefficients assessed the interrater reliability between measurements performed by the 2 reviewers.

RESULTS

Two hundred three patients (406 femora) were assessed. Male patients had a lower overall NSA mean of 131.56 degrees ± 4.74 than females with 133.61 degrees ± 5.17. There was no significant difference in NSA side-to-side in females (P = 0.18), 0.3 degrees [95% confidence interval (-0.15 to 0.75)], or males (P = 0.68), 0.19 degrees [95% confidence interval (-0.74 to 1.12)]. There was a strong linear relationship between left and right femora (r2 = 0.70). Forty-one percent of patients fell within the 131-135 degrees range bilaterally. Eighty-eight percent of patients had <5 degrees difference in NSA bilaterally and 0% had >10 degrees difference.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no significant variability between bilateral femora in males and females. Use of this measurement method and contralateral NSA for proximal femur fracture planning is supported.

[Effectiveness comparison between proximal femoral nail anti-rotation and proximal femoral locking compression plate for intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients combined with hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction]

Objective

To investigate the difference in the effectiveness between proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) and proximal femoral locking compression plate (PFLCP) for intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients combined with hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction.

Methods

The clinical data of 67 cases of intertrochanteric femoral fractures combined with hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction between October 2013 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 32 cases were treated with PFNA internal fixation (PFNA group), and 35 cases were treated with PFLCP internal fixation (PFLCP group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury side, modified Evans classification of fracture, preoperative medical disease, and interval from injury to operation between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bed time, incidence of perioperative complications, time of fracture healing, and hip Harris score at 6 months and 1 year after operation were recorded and compared.

Results

Both groups were followed up 12-24 months with an average of 14 months. Compared with the PFLCP group, the PFNA group had shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and shorter bed time, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). X-ray films showed that the fractures healed in both groups. The fracture healing time of the PFNA group was shorter than that of the PFLCP group, but the difference was not significant ( t=0.743, P=0.460). During hospitalization, there were 3 cases of pulmonary infection, 2 cases of deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs, and 1 case of urinary tract infection in the PFNA group; and the incidence of perioperative complications was 18.8% (6/32). There were 4 cases of pulmonary infection, 6 cases of deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs, 1 case of recurrent cerebral infarction, and 1 case of stress ulcer in the PFLCP group; and the incidence of perioperative complications was 34.3% (12/35). There was no significant difference in the incidence of perioperative complications between 2 groups ( χ ²=2.053, P=0.152). At 6 months after operation, the Harris total score and individual scores in the PFNA group were higher than those in the PFLCP group ( P<0.05). At 1 year after operation, there was no significant difference in the Harris total score and pain score, life ability score, and walking ability score between the PFNA group and the PFLCP group ( P>0.05); However, the joint deformity and activity score of the PFNA group was significantly better than that of the PFLCP group ( t=4.112, P=0.000).

Conclusion

For intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients with cerebral infarction hemiplegia, the PFNA has shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, shorter bed time after operation, and better short-term hip function when compared with the PFLCP.

Controlled study on Gamma nail and proximal femoral locking plate for unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures with broken lateral wall

The gamma nail and proximal femoral locking plate (PFLP) are both used for fractures. A controlled study was performed to determine the optimal implant. To assess and analyze the clinical effects of gamma nails and PFLPs for patients with unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures, specifically with broken lateral walls. Thirty-six patients with unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures and broken lateral walls were treated with gamma nails or PFLPs and retrospectively studied. The clinical data were compared. Duration of surgery and early full weight-bearing time were significantly longer in the PFLP group compared to the gamma nail group (P < 0.05). However, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency and total blood loss in the PFLP group were significantly less than those in the gamma nail group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in hospitalized days, Parker Palmer mobility scores, Harris hip scores, and complications between the two groups. No difference in hip-functional recovery was found between the gamma nail group and the PFLP group, indicating that both the gamma nail and PFLP were effective for unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures with a broken lateral wall. However, early weight bearing on the fractures was not encouraged in patients treated with PFLP.