The reduction for unstable femoral intertrochanteric fracture should be extramedullary, which means that the proximal fragment protrudes for the distal fragment. However, only few articles have compared extramedullary and intramedullary reductions in a biomechanical study. Thus, we created unstable femoral intertrochanteric fracture models using imitational bone (extramedullary and intramedullary groups, each with 12 cases) and evaluated their biomechanical stabilities. The fracture type was 31-A2 according to the AO-OTA Classification of Fractures and Dislocations and greatly lacked bone on the posterior side. We performed compression examination and evaluated stiffness. The implant used for fixation was TFNA (DePuy Synthes). We applied axial compression with 20 adduction in the standing position. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. No significant difference in initial loading force was found between the two groups. However, the axial stiffness of the extramedullary bone showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in high loading force (800–1000 N). This means that the stability of the extramedullary reduction was superior to that of the intramedullary reduction in terms of high loading force in the standing position. We suggest that antero-medial bony buttress is important for unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures. These data indicate that extramedullary reduction and fixation for unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures increase stability

Proximal femur fractures are common in the elderly population. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between fracture type and proximal femoral geometric parameters. We retrospectively studied the electronic medical records of 85 elderly patients over 60 years of age who were admitted to the orthopedic department with hip fractures between January 2016 and January 2018 in a training and research hospital in Turkey. Age, fracture site, gender, implant type and proximal femoral geometry parameters (neck shaft angle [NSA], center edge angle [CEA], femoral head diameter [FHD], femoral neck diameter [FND], femoral neck axial length [FNAL], hip axial length [HAL], and femoral shaft diameter [FSD]) were recorded. Patients with femoral neck fractures and femur intertrochanteric fractures were divided into two groups. The relationship between proximal femoral geometric parameters and fracture types was examined. SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corparation, Armonk, New York, United States) program was used to analyze the variables. Independent samples t test was used to compare the fracture types according to NSA, FHD, FND and FSD variables. A statistically significant difference was found in FSD (p=0,002) and age (p=0,019). FSD and age were found to be greater in intertrochanteric fractures than neck fractures. Gender, site, CEA, FNAL, HAL, NSA, FHD and FND parametres were not significantly different. In the literature, it is seen that different results have been reached in different studies. In a study conducted in the Chinese population, a significant difference was found between the two groups in NSA, CEA and FNAL measurements. In a study conducted in the Korean population, a significant difference was found only in NSA measurements. The FSD is generally associated with bone mineral densitometry in the literature and has been shown to be a risk factor for fracture formation. However, a study showing that there is a relationship between FSD and fracture type is not available in the literature. In this study; FSD was found to be higher in intertrochanteric fractures (p = 0.002). However, for the clinical significance of this difference, we think that larger patient series and biomechanical studies are needed

To conduct a meta-analysis for intertrochanteric hip fractures comparing in terms of efficacy and safety short versus long intralomedullary nails. A pubmed search of the last 10 years for intertrochanteric fracture 31A1-31A3 according to the AO/OTA classification was performed. Baseline characteristics of each article were obtained, complication measures were analyzed: Peri-implant fracture, reoperations, deep/superficial infection, and mortality. Clinical variables consisted of blood loss (mL), length of stay (days), time of surgery (min) and nº of transfusions. Functional outcomes were also recorded. A meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.4. Twelve studies were included, nine were retrospective. The reoperations rate was lower in the short nail group and the peri-implant fracture rate was lower in the long nail group (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.88) (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.43). Surgery time and blood loss was significantly higher in the long nail group (MD −12.44, 95% CI −14.60 to −10.28) (MD −19.36, 95% CI −27.24 to −11.48). There were no differences in functional outcomes. The short intramedullary nail has a higher risk of peri-implant fracture; however, the reoperation rate is lower compared to the long nail. Blood loss and surgery time was higher in the long nail group

Femoral head collapse due to avascular necrosis (AVN) is a relatively rare occurrence following intertrochanteric fractures; however, with over thirty-thousand intertrochanteric fractures per year in England and Wales alone, and an incidence of up to 1.16%, it is still significant. Often patients are treated with a hip fixation device, such as a sliding hip screw or X-Bolt. This study aimed to investigate the influence of three factors on the likelihood of head collapse: (1) implant type; (2) the size of the femoral head; and (3) the size of the AVN lesion. Finite element (FE) models of an intact femur, and femurs implanted with two common hip fixation designs, the Compression Hip Screw (Smith & Nephew) and the X-Bolt (X-Bolt Orthopaedics), were developed. Experimental validation of the FE models on 4. th. generation Sawbones composite femurs (n=5) found the peak failure loads predicted by the implanted model was accurate to within 14%. Following validation on Sawbones, the material modulus (E) was updated to represent cancellous (E=500MPa) and cortical (E=1GPa) bone, and the influence of implant design, head size, and AVN was examined. Four head sizes were compared: mean male (48.4 mm) and female (42.2 mm) head sizes ± two standard deviations. A conical representation of an AVN lesion with a lower modulus (1MPa) was created, and four different radii were studied. The risk of head collapse was assessed from (1) the critical buckling pressure and (2) the peak failure stress. The likelihood of head collapse was reduced by implantation of either fixation device. Smaller head sizes and greater AVN lesion size increased the risk of femoral head collapse. These results indicate the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with a hip fixation device does not increase the risk of head collapse; however, patient factors such as small head size and AVN severity significantly increase the risk

Introduction and Objective. Hip fractures represent one of the most challenging injuries in orthopaedic practice due to the associated morbidity, mortality and the financial burden they impose on the health care systems. By many still considered as the gold standard in the management of intertrochanteric fractures, the Dynamic Hip Screw utilizes controlled collapse during weight bearing to stabilize the fracture. Despite being a highly successful device, mechanical failure rate is not uncommon. The most accepted intraoperative indicator for lag screw failure is the tip apex distance (TAD), yet lateral femoral wall thickness (LWT) is another evolving parameter for detecting the potential for lateral wall fracture with subsequent medialization and implant failure. The aim of this study is to determine the mean and cut off levels for LWT that warrant lateral wall fracture and the implications of that on implant failure, revision rates and implant choice. Materials and Methods. This prospective cohort study included 42 patients with a mean age of 70.43y with intertrochanteric hip fractures treated with DHS fixation by the same consultant surgeon from April 2019 to December 2019. The study sample was calculated based on a confidence level of 90% and margin of error of 5%. Fracture types included in the study are 31A1 and 31A2 based on the AO/OTA classification system. LWT was assessed in all patients preoperatively using Surgimap (Nemaris, NY, USA) software. Patients were divided into two groups according to the post-operative integrity of the lateral femoral wall, where group (A) sustained a lateral femoral wall fracture intraoperatively or within 12 months after the index procedure, while in group (B) the lateral femoral wall remained intact. All patients were regularly followed up radiologically and clinically per the Harris Hip Score (HHS) for a period of 12 months. Results. At 12 months five patients (12%) suffered a postoperative lateral wall fracture, while in 37 patients (88%) the lateral femoral wall remained intact. The mean preoperative LWT of patients with a postoperative lateral wall fracture was 18.04 mm (SD ± 1.58) compared to 26.22mm (SD ± 5.93) in the group without a lateral wall fracture. All patients with post-operative lateral femoral wall fracture belong to 31A2 group, while 78.4% of the patients that did not develop post-operative lateral femoral wall fracture belong to 31A1 group. Eighty percent of patients in group (A) experienced shortening, collapse, shaft medialization and varus deformity. The mean Harris hip score of group (A) was 39.60 at 3 months and 65.67 at 6 months postoperatively, while that of group (B) was 80.75 and 90.65 at 3 and 6 months respectively, denoting a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Treatment failure meriting a revision surgery was 40 % in group (A) and 8% in group (B) denoting a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The cut-off point of LWT below which there is a high chance of post-operative lateral wall fracture when fixed with DHS is 19.6mm. This was shown on the receiver operating curve (ROC) by plotting the sensitivity against the 100 % specificity with a set 95% confidence interval 0.721 – 0.954. When lateral wall thickness was at 19.6 mm, the sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 81.8%. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.838, which was statistically significant (P = 0.015). Conclusions. Preoperative measurement of LWT in elderly patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures is decisive. The cut off point for postoperative lateral wall fracture according to our study is 19.6 mm; hence, intramedullary fixation has to be considered in this situation

The international literature base demonstrates that individuals living with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of mortality and post-operative complications following hip fracture surgery (HFS) than non-diabetics. Studies investigating databases in American, European or Asiatic populations highlight the impact geography can have on the resultant investigation. We aim to quantify the impact DM has on HFS patients in a single university hospital. The HIPE dataset of fragility fractures occurring in Galway University Hospital from 2014–2016 were analysed and cross referenced with hospital laboratory and public databases. A database of 759 individuals was created including 515 females and 237 males, with a mean age of 78+/−12.2 years, of which 110 patients had DM. The patient length-of-stay (PLOS) was comparable in all groups with patient age being the primary influencing factor. An extended PLOS correlated with an increased long-term mortality. A trend toward increased occurrence of sub-trochanteric fractures was observed in diabetics with fewer periprosthetic and intertrochanteric fractures. Patients with DM had a significant increased risk of post-operative mortality compared to non-diabetics. Males with DM where at a greater risk of death after HFS [HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.26–4.17. p=0.006] than females with DM [HR 1.69, 95% CI 0.99–2.91. p=0.056]. The presence of DM did not directly impact a patient's PLOS or increase the need for a re-operation. DM is associated with increased post-operative patient mortality and may influence the anatomical fracture pattern. This observation will support further investigation into the mechanical and biochemical changes occurring in the femur in individuals living with DM

Background. The advantages of treatment by open reduction and internal fixation for intertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur have been well known for several decades. Failure of fixation can result in revision surgery, prolonged inpatient stay and has major socio-economic consequences. There are many new devices on the market to help deal with this problem. Expandable hip screw (EHS) is one such device, which is an expanding bolt that may offer superior fixation in osteoporotic bone compared to the standard dynamic hip screw (DHS) type device. Methods. Static axial compression tests with elastic deformation of the specimens were performed with a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min to determine stiffness of testing was performed with 3 cycles from 0 N to 250 N, 3 cycles from 0 N to 500 N, 3 cycles from 0 N to 750 N and 3 cycles from 0 N to 1000 N with a holding time of 10 s per test cycle. Displacement control was apply the pullout strength with a velocity of 1mm/sec. The ability to resist rotation about the axis of a lag screw is of critical importance particularly when the fracture line is perpendicular, or nearly perpendicular, to the femoral neck. Implants were subjected to a rotation of 1 degree/sec and peak torque values were recorded. Results. The mean axial cyclic loading DHS showed higher stiffness value than EHS. The mean stiffness achieved at pullout test in the EHS and DHS groups were 587.8N/mm and, 334.1N/mm respectively (p<0.05). The peak torque for the EHS device was significantly greater than the torque for the DHS with torque values of 4.56 Nm/degree and 2.97 Nm/degree, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions. The EHS device demonstrated superior resistance to pullout and torsion greater loads compared to the DHS in an unstable fracture model. However, axial cyclic loading demonstrate lower strength, by optimising the size of device will perform. Level of Evidence. Level 5

The objective was to compare vastus lateralis muscle splitting verses muscle sparing surgical approach to proximal femur for fixation of intertrochanteric fracture. Of the 16 patients in this prospective randomised double blind study 8 were randomised to vastus lateralis muscle splitting and rest to muscle sparing group. Main outcome measurement was assessment of status of vastus lateralis muscle at 2 and 6 weeks using nerve conduction study. Preoperative demographics were identical for both the groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regards to velocity, latency, and amplitude. The postoperative haemoglobin drop, heamatocrit, position of the dynamic hip screw and mobility status were identical. Both clinical and neurophysiological outcome suggest that damage done to vastus lateralis either by splitting or elevating appears to be identical

Introduction. The use of the dynamic hip screw is common practice for the fixation of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur. The success of this procedure requires accurate guide wire placement. This can prove difficult at times and can result in repeated attempts leading to longer operating time, multiple tracks and more importantly greater radiation exposure to both patient and operating staff. We hypothesised that rather than using the standard anterior-posterior projected image (Figure 1) of a proximal femur, rotating the intensifier image (Figure 2) so that the guide wire appears to pass vertically makes it easier to visualise the projected direction of the guide wire. Methods. Fifty Specialist Registrars, thirty participating in the London hip meeting 2009, ten from Oxford and ten from Northern deanery orthopaedic rotations were involved in the study. They were presented with standard AP and rotated images of the femoral neck on paper using 135 degree template to replicate the DHS guide. The participants were asked to mark the entry point on the intertrochanteric area of femur on the image where they would have placed the guide wire. They did this on both standard AP and rotated images aiming for the centre of the head of the femur. Fig. 1 Standard AP image Fig. 2 Rotated image. Results. Thirty-seven Specialist Registrars (74%) were able to accurately mark their entry point on rotated images on their first attempt as compared to eighteen trainees (36%) managing to place it correctly first time on the standard image. Thirteen trainees (26%) were able to mark their entry point correctly on both standard AP and rotated images with equal accuracy. Conclusion. Coren et al. 1 argue that human vision can more easily judge horizontal and vertical lines rather than oblique lines. Thus, rather than use the standard anterior-posterior projected image of the hip, we should routinely rotate the intensifier image so that the guide wire appears to be passing in a vertical direction. By rotating the image (Figure 2) in this way it becomes significantly easier to visualise the projected direction of the guide wire and in doing so ensure its accurate final placement thereby minimising possible complications