A Clinical Study of Subtrochanteric Fractures of the Femur
10.4055/jkoa.1986.21.2.263
- Author:
Byeong Mun PARK
;
Dae Yong HAN
;
Seong Jae KIM
;
Eui Hwan AHN
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Fracture;
Femur;
Subtrochanteric
- MeSH:
Accidents, Traffic;
Bone and Bones;
Clinical Study;
Female;
Femur;
Hip;
Hip Fractures;
Humans;
Incidence;
Male;
Orthopedics;
Pelvic Bones;
Ribs;
Stress, Mechanical;
Transplants;
Weight-Bearing
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
1986;21(2):263-272
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Management of subtrochanteric fractures of the femur is difficult because of the high mechanical stresses in this region; furthermore, the bone here is mainly cortical and comminution is frequent. These two factors, involvement of cortical bone tissue and concentration of stress, have been mentioned as reasons for the high incidence of complication in the treatment of these fractures, such as Relayed union, mechanical failure and rnalunion. Thirty cases of subtrochanteric fractures in twenty-nine patients were reviewed, which have been managed at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine from Jan. 1980 to Dec. 1984 and the following results were obtained: l. Of the 29 patients reviewed, 22 were male and 7 were female. Mean age was 45.7 years in male and 67.3 years in female. 2. Traffic accidents were the most common cause of injury(44.8%) 3. Pelvic bone fractures(7 cases) and rib fractures(7 cases) were the most common associated injuries. 4. Fielding's type II (13 cases) fracture and Seinsheimer's type IV (10 cases) fracture were most common. 5. Of the 30 cases, 26(86.7%) were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Of fixation devices, a Jewett nail was most commonly used in 13 cases (50.0%). 6. The mean duration of bony union was 20.4 weeks. There was no significant difference in union rate between fractures which were treated by operative means and fractures by conservative means. And more longer period was needed in union as fracture goes distally. 7. Weight bearing was allowed earlier in patients treated by operative means (average 10.5 weeks) than in patients by conservative means (average 18.0 weeks.). 8. Of the 30 cases, 8 complications (26.7%) occured, that is: delayed union(4 cases), mechanical failure (3 cases) and angular deformity(1 case). All of them occured in Fielding's type II and III fractures except 1 case. Loss of medial buttress and unstable reduction were considered to be causing factors. 9. Satisfactory result was obtained by stable anatomical reduction and internally fixed by Jewett nail and compression hip screw. In case of intramedullary nail, good result was expected when used in non-comminuted fracture of distal portion. Also, additional supplementary screw fixation, circlage wire and bone graft were recommended, when necessary.
