TREATMENT OF SUBTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES OF THE HIP WITH ‘INTRAMEDULLARY HIP SCREW’ (IMHS)

Abstract

Purpose: To present/evaluate the results of ‘intramedullary hip screw’ (IMHS) for treatment of subtrochanteric fractures of the hip.

Materials and Methods: Between 2003–2005 fifty four (54) patients aged 62–92 years old (average: 77,3 yrs) with subtrochanteric fractures of the hip were treated in our department with intramedullary hip screw (IMHS). Thirty one (31) patients were women and twenty three (23) were men. Thirty (30) fractures were located in the right hip and the remaining twenty four (24) in the left one. All patients were operated by the same surgical team –within 3 days from injury in the 86% of the cases. The duration of the procedure was between 55–75 minutes. Post-op, the patients were mobilized early with -at least–partial weight bearing and they were followed-up -clinically and radiologicallly for 7–30 months.

Results: 85% of the fractures were united within 14 weeks uneventfully. In seven cases, bone grafts were used. Three (3) cases of superficial wound inflammation and two case of haematoma were noticed. All above cases were treated successfully. Neither femur’s fractures (near or distal to the tip of IMHS) nor failure of implants were noticed. The 75% of patients achieved the pre-op status of rehabilitation.

Conclusions: The results of this study show that ‘intramedullary hip screw’ (IMHS) seems to be a reliable treatment for the subtrochanteric fractures of the hip; and it could be considered as one of treatment of choice for them.