ObjectiveTo analyze the reasons and the influence of internal fixation about the guide pin eccentricity of helical blade during proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) internal fixation for femoral intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsA retrospective analysis of the intraoperative imaging data of 175 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures, who underwent closed reduction and PFNA internal fixation between January 2018 and January 2020, was performed. There were 76 males and 99 females with an average age of 79.8 years (mean, 61-103 years). The internal between admission and operation was 12-141 hours (median, 32 hours). According to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, the fractures were rated as type 31-A1 in 64 cases and type 31-A2 in 111 cases. In the intraoperative fluoroscopy image by C-arm X-ray machine, the caputcollum-diaphysis (CCD) was measured after closed reduction and internal fixation, respectively; the angles between the center line of the head nail hole and the axis of proximal nail and between the axis of guide pin and proximal nail were measured, and the difference between the two angles was evaluated; the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to the alignment of the medial cortex, anterior cortex of the head and neck bone block, and femoral shaft cortex; the position of the helical blade in the femoral head was evaluated according to the Cleveland method.ResultsThe CCDs of proximal femur were (134.6±6.8)° after closed reduction and (134.9±4.3)° after internal fixation. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-internal fixation (t=0.432, P=0.766). The angles between the center line of the head nail hole and the axis of proximal nail and between the axis of guide pin and proximal nail were (125.4±2.44)° and (126.3±2.3)°, respectively, showing significant difference (t=2.809, P=0.044). The difference between the two angles was (0.8±2.2)°. The guide pin eccentricity of helical blade occurred in 47 cases. After tapping the helical blade along the eccentric guide pin, 10 cases had fracture reduction loss, and 5 cases had a poor position of the helical blade in the femoral head. ConclusionDuring PFNA internal fixation, a variety of reasons can lead to the eccentric position of the guide pin of helical blade, including unstable fracture, soft tissue inserted, severe osteoporosis, mismatched tool, and fluoroscopic imaging factors. It is possible that the fracture end would be displaced again and the helical blade position may be poor when knocking into the helical blade along the eccentric guide pin. During operation, it should be judged whether the direction of the guide pin needs to be adjusted according to the eccentric angle.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) combined with mini plate for reconstruction of lateral femoral wall in the treatment of type AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture. Methods The clinical data of 70 elderly patients with AO/OTA type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture treated between January 2013 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into group A (PFNA alone, 35 cases) and group B (PFNA combined with mini plate reconstruction of lateral femoral wall, 35 cases). There was no significant difference in the general data of gender, age, side, cause of injury, time from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, postoperative complications, and the tip apex distance (TAD) at 2 months after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups. Harris hip score was used to evaluate the function at 12 months after operation. Results Both groups were followed up 9-21 months, with an average of 16.6 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in TAD between the two groups at 2 months after operation (t=0.096, P=0.462). There were 5 complications (14.3%) occurred in group A, including 2 cases of blade perforating from the hip joint, 2 cases of screw back out, and 1 case of bone nonunion; only 1 case (2.9%) in group B had screw back out after operation; there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (χ2=2.917, P=0.088). All the fracture healed in group B, and 1 patient in group A suffered bone nonunion and eventually main nail fracture. The healing time of fracture in group A [(15.6±2.7) weeks] was significantly longer than that in group B [(12.5±2.5) weeks], showing significant difference (t=2.064, P=0.023). At 12 months after operation, according to Harris score, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 13 cases, and poor in 8 cases in group A, the qualified rate (Harris score>70) was 77.14%; and the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 11 cases, fair in 16 cases, and poor in 1 case in group B, the qualified rate was 97.14%; there was significant difference in the qualified rate between the two groups (χ2=6.248, P=0.012). Conclusion Compared with PFNA alone, the treatment of AO/OTA type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture with PFNA combined with mini plate reconstruction of lateral femoral wall can significantly reduce postoperative complications, promote fracture healing, and improve functional recovery of patients after operation.
Objective
To confirm the association between tail femur distance (TFD) and lag screw migration or cutting-out in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture with the third generation of Gamma nail (TGN).
Methods
The clinical data of 124 cases of intertrochanteric fracture treated with TGN internal fixation and followed up more than 18 months between January 2012 and December 2015 were reviewed and analyzed. There were 52 males and 72 females, with an age of 46-93 years (mean, 78.5 years). According to AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification, 43 cases were type 31-A1, 69 cases were type 31-A2, and 12 cases were type 31-A3. The time from injury to operation was 1-10 days (mean, 2.9 days). According to the fracture healing of the patients, the patients were divided into the healing group and failure group. The age, gender, height, bone mineral density (BMD), fracture AO/ASIF classification, the time from injury to operation, and the TFD value at 1 day after operation were recorded and compared. The risk factors for the migration or cutting-out of lag screw were analyzed by logistic regression.
Results
There were 111 cases in healing group, the healing time was 80-110 days (mean, 95.5 days). There were 13 cases in failure group, including 2 cases of lag screw cutting-out and 11 cases of significant migration. Except for the TFD value at 1 day after operation in failure group was significantly higher than that in the healing group(t=5.14, P=0.00), there was no significant difference in gender, age, height, BMD, fracture of AO/ASIF classification, and the time from injury to operation (P>0.05) between 2 groups. logistic regression analysis showed that TFD value was a risk factor for the migration or cutting-out of lag screw (B=1.22, standardized coefficient=0.32, Wald χ2=14.66, P=0.00, OR=3.37).
Conclusion
The patients with higher TFD value had higher risk of postoperative lag screw migration or cutting-out. This result indicates that the appropriate length of the lag screw is helpful to reduce TFD value and prevent postoperative lag screw migration or cutting-out.
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 (χ2=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.
ObjectiveTo summarize the application of distal fixated long stem in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) in the sequence of proximal femoral reconstruction, fixation materials, and other details after operation, in order to improve doctor’s attention to the reconstruction of the proximal femur and reduce complications.MethodsThe related literature about the application of distal fixated long stem in the treatment of ITF was extensively reviewed, summarized, and analyzed.ResultsThe sequence of reconstruction is divided into fracture reconstruction priority and prosthesis reconstruction priority. The former is mainly to provide an anatomical reference for the placement of joint prostheses, the latter is mainly to provide support for fracture fixation. The distal fixated cement long stem and cementless long stem have their own characteristics, and materials of reconstruction are used in combination. There is no uniform standard for the sequence and materials of reconstruction.ConclusionAlthough the stability of the distal fixated long stem depends on the distal femur, the accurate reconstruction of the proximal femur is still worthy of attention.
Objective To analyze the failure factors of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) in the treatment of geriatric intertrochanteric fractures. Methods The clinical data of 136 cases of intertrochanteric fracture treated with PFNA internal fixation between May 2015 and June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 106 males and 30 females, aged from 60 to 80 years, with an average age of 75.5 years. According to Evans-Jensen classification, there were 45 cases of type Ⅰ, 50 cases of type Ⅱ, 23 cases of type Ⅲ, 13 cases of type Ⅳ, and 5 cases of type Ⅴ. The time from injury to operation was 2-4 days, with an average of 3 days. According to the X-ray films before and after operation, the fracture types (stable and unstable), reduction quality (according to Baumgaertner’s criteria), integrity of lateral wall and posteromedial cortex of the patients with failure of PFNA internal fixation were summarized, and the causes of failure were analyzed. Results All the 136 patients were followed up 7-18 months (mean, 13.6 months). There were 17 cases (12.5%) of PFNA internal fixation failure after operation, including 3 cases of stable fracture and 14 cases of unstable fracture; the quality of fracture reduction was excellent in 2 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 10 cases; 10 cases with complete lateral wall and 7 cases with defect; 9 cases with complete posteromedial cortex and 8 cases with defect. Reasons for failure of internal fixation: ① There were 8 cases of coxa varus at 12 weeks after operation due to the loss of posteromedial cortex of femoral intertrochanteric, 7 of them continued non-weight-bearing observation and fracture healed at 6 months after operation; 1 case underwent total hip arthroplasty with spiral blade excision after operation. ② There were 7 cases of internal fixation failure caused by lateral wall defect, including 2 cases of screw blade retraction, continued non-weight-bearing observation, and removed the internal fixator after fracture healing; 2 cases of malunion of rotation with the rotation of no more than 15°, fracture healed at 6 months after operation without special treatment; and 3 cases of rupture of lateral intertrochanteric wall during operation, continued non-weight-bearing observation and fracture healed at 6 months after operation. ③ The distal locking of the main screw was deviated in 2 cases during operation. One of them was found and replanted in time during operation, and 1 case was found with fracture of femoral shaft on 3 days after operation, following 1 year of non-weight-bearing observation and fracture ending healing. Conclusion The types of intertrochanteric fractures (especially unstable fractures), the integrity of the proximal lateral wall of femur, and the defect of the posteromedial cortex are the internal risk factors for the success or failure of PFNA in the treatment of geriatric intertrochanteric fractures. The effective protection of the lateral wall during operation and the good quality of fracture reduction are the external factors that must be paid attention to.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application effect of wire reduction technique guided by minimally invasive wire introducer in the treatment of difficult-reducing intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsBetween April 2016 and April 2018, 30 patients with intertrochanteric fractures who had difficulty in closed reduction under the traction bed were treated. There were 17 males and 13 females, aged from 60 to 93 years (mean, 72 years). The causes of injury included falls in 22 cases and traffic accidents in 8 cases. The fractures were classified according to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification: 12 cases of type A1, 12 cases of type A2, and 6 cases of type A3. Intramedullary nail incision and self-made minimally invasive wire introducer were used to assist reduction of intertrochanteric fracture, and then intramedullary nail internal fixation was performed.ResultsThe operation time was 30-70 minutes, with an average of 45 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was 100-210 mL, with an average of 160 mL. One case died of cerebrovascular accident at 3 months after operation; the remaining 29 cases were followed up 6-18 months, with an average of 8.3 months. Postoperative DR reexamination showed that all patients had a good reduction in the fracture end, no retraction, fracture displacement, hip valgus deformity, and other serious complications occurred. The fracture was completely healed and the healing time was 3-8 months, with an average of 6 months. At 3 months after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 1-3, with an averge of 1.7. According to Harris functional score of hip joint, 26 cases were excellent and 3 cases were good.ConclusionFor the difficult-reducing intertrochanteric fractures, minimally invasive wire introducer is used to insert steel wire into the incision of head and neck nail for assisted reduction, which can achieve satisfactory reduction results and improve the effectiveness of intertrochanteric fracture.
Objective To evaluate effectiveness of proximal femur bionic nail (PFBN) in treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly compared to the proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 48 geriatric patients with intertrochanteric fractures, who met the selection criteria and were admitted between January 2020 and December 2022. Among them, 24 cases were treated with PFBN fixation after fracture reduction (PFBN group), and 24 cases were treated with PFNA fixation (PFNA group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as age, gender, cause of injury, side and type of fracture, time from injury to operation, and preoperative mobility score, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Alzheimer’s disease degree scoring, self-care ability score, osteoporosis degree (T value), and combined medical diseases between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of blood transfusions, transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, occurrence of complications, weight-bearing time after operation, and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, walking ability score, mobility score, self-care ability score were recorded and compared between the two groups. And the radiographic assessment of fracture reduction quality and postoperative stability, and fracture healing time were recorded. ResultsThe operations in both groups were successfully completed. All patients were followed up 6-15 months with an average time of 9.8 months in PFBN group and 9.6 months in PFNA group. The operation time was significantly longer in PFBN group than in PFNA group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, number of blood transfusions, transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, change in activity ability score, and change in self-care ability score between the two groups (P>0.05). The weight-bearing time after operation was significantly shorter in PFBN group than in PFNA group (P<0.05), and the postoperative VAS score and walking ability score were significantly better in PFBN group than in PFNA group (P<0.05). Radiographic assessment showed no significant difference in fracture reduction scores and postoperative stability scores between the two groups (P>0.05). All fractures healed and there was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of complications was significantly lower in PFBN group (16.7%, 4/24) than in PFNA group (45.8%, 11/24) (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with PFNA, PFBN in the treatment of elderly intertrochanteric fractures can effectively relieve postoperative pain, shorten bed time, reduce the risk of complications, and facilitate the recovery of patients’ hip joint function and walking ability.
ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence, treatment, and effectiveness of peri-implant refracture after intramedullary nail fixation for intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 16 patients with peri-implant refracture after intramedullary nail fixation for intertrochanteric fractures who met the inclusion criteria between April 2014 and November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 9 females with an average age of 78.4 years (range, 65-93 years). The 14 cases of initial intertrochanteric fractures were classified according to the classification of AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA): 5 cases of type A1, 7 cases of type A2, and 2 cases of type A3; the other 2 cases were intertrochanteric combined with subtrochanteric fractures (Seinsheimer type Ⅴ). According to the classification of peri-implant refracture which was proposed by Chan et al., there were 10 cases of type 1 (6 cases of type 1A, 3 cases of type 1B, 1 case of type 1C) and 6 cases of type 2 (4 cases of type 2A and 2 cases of type 2B). The average interval between refracture and initial surgery was 14.6 months (range, 1-52 months). The incidence of peri-implant refracture in short nail group (the length of intramedullary nail used in initial surgery≤240 mm) was 1.92% (11/573), while the incidence of long nail group (the length of intramedullary nail used in initial surgery≥340 mm) was 1.66% (5/301), showing no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=0.073, P=0.786). The peri-implant refractures were revised with extended intramedullary nail (5 cases) or fixed with additional limited invasive stabilization system (11 cases).ResultsThe average operation time was 115.8 minutes (range, 78-168 minutes) and the average intraoperative blood loss was 283.1 mL (range, 120-500 mL). One patient died of myocardial infarction at 3 months after operation, and the other 15 patients were followed up 9-46 months (mean, 16.8 months). The peri-implant refractures healed at 14-20 weeks (mean, 16.4 weeks) after operation. There was no complications such as incision infection, nonunion, internal fixator loosening and rupture, screw cutting-out, and the second refracture during the follow-up. At last follow-up, all injured limbs regained walking function, and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 56-92 (mean, 80.2). The results were classified as excellent in 2 cases, good in 10, fair in 2, and poor in 1, with the excellent and good rate of 80%.ConclusionStress concentration at the tip of initial intramedullary nail and distal interlocking screw aera is the main cause of peri-implant refracture after intramedullary nail fixation for intertrochanteric fractures. Revision with extended intramedullary nail or fixation with limited invasive stabilization system according to the length of initial intramedullary nail and the type of refracture can get satisfactory effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo summarize the patterns and research progress of the concomitant ipsilateral fractures of intracapsular femoral neck and extracapsular trochanter, and to provide a common language among orthopedic surgeons for scientific exchange.MethodsAccording to related literature and authors own experiences concerning the anatomic border between femoral neck and trochanter region, the intertrochanteric line (or intertrochanteric belt) and its capsularligament attachment footprint, fracture patterns, and treatment strategies were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsWith the rapid growing of geriatric hip fractures, an increased incidence was noted in recent years regarding the proximal femoral comminuted fractures that involving ipsilateral intracapsular neck and extracapsular trochanter regions simultaneously. But the concept of femoral neck combined with trochanter fractures was ambiguous. Based on the anatomic type of femoral neck fracture, the location of fracture center, and the ability to achieve direct inferior calcar or anteromedial cortex-to-cortex apposition and buttress, we classified these complex fractures into 3 sub-types: ① Segmental femoral neck fractures (two separate fracture centers at subcapital and trochanteric region respectively); ② Femoral neck fracture (trans-cervical) with extension to the supero-lateral trochanteric region (fracture center in femoral neck); ③ Trochanteric fracture with extension to the medio-inferior femoral neck region (fracture center in trochanter, comminuted basicervical fracture, or variant type of comminuted trochanter fracture). For treatment strategy, surgeons should consider the unique characteristics of femoral neck and trochanter, usually with combined fixation techniques, or arthroplasty supplemented with fixation.ConclusionCurrently there is no consensus on diagnosis and terminology regarding the concomitant ipsilateral fractures of femoral neck and trochanter. Further studies are needed.
