TROCHANTERIC STABILIZING PLATE IN THE TREATMENT OF LATERAL UNSTABLE FRACTURES OF THE FEMORAL NECK

Abstract

Lateral unstable fractures of the femoral neck represent a controversial problem for the surgical treatment, due to the difficulty in achieving an adequate mechanically stable bone-devices system. Compression hip screw alone has proven to be inadequate, while in association with the trochanteric stabilizing plate (TSP) it offers better results. The authors analyse functional results and complications of a series of 87 lateral unstable fractures of the femoral neck (type A2 and A3 of the AO classification). Weight bearing was allowed 48 hours after surgery. The most important complications reported were: persistent trochanteric pain (12 cases) shaft medialization and device mobilization (2 cases) shortening of more than 2cm (3 cases). All complications were reported in A3 type fractures. Our data confirm the efficacy of the TSP the treatment of lateral unstable fractures of the femoral neck (type A2) because it stabilizes the lateral cortex. In A3 type fractures, intramedullary devices offers better results than compression hip screw and TSP in terms of complications rate and stability.