Introduction and purpose: The Gamma nail (Howmedica, Kiel) was designed in the eighties as an alternative to sliding plate-screw systems for the treatment of per and subtrochanteric lesions of the proximal femur. The purpose of this study is to analyze eight instances where a breakage of the gamma nail occurred trying to establish possible causes and therapeutic alternatives.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study on 1478 Gamma nails implanted in our hospital between 1989 and 2002 (standard: 1287, long: 174; trohchanteric: 17). 11 cases of material breakage were detected, of which three corresponded to the breakage of the distal screws and eight to breakages of the nail itself. The clinical records and imaging tests of these patients were carefully scrutinized.

Results: The standard Gamma nail failure rate was .15% (2 breakages) and that of the long Gamma nail was 3.4% (2 breakages). The breakages occurred a mean of 15.6 months after the initial procedure. In 5 cases the nail broke at a site of fracture malunion and in the other three they broke in fully healed or nearly healed fractures.

Conclusions: Gamma nail breakage is an unusual complication. Our failure rate was similar to those published by other authors. In most cases nail breakage was related to malunited fracture. In these cases we withdrew the implant and implanted a new intramedullary device which led to healing.

Introduction and Objectives: Periprosthetic fractures are a complication seen with increasing frequency, owing in part to the growing number of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, older patient age, osteoporosis, revision surgeries, etc. Many classification systems have been described as a guide for optimal treatment in each situation. The aim of this study is to present our experience in recent years in the treatment of this pathology.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of clinical records and radiographic studies of patients diagnosed with periprosthetic fractures associated with both cemented and cementless total hip arthroplasty beginning in 1995. Intraoperative fractures were excluded from the study. We collected data on patient age, gender, type of total hiparthroplasty (THA), time to fracture, etiology, previous hip history, type of fracture, type of treatment, and complications.

Results: A total of 35 cases were reviewed, including 28 females (80%) and 7 males (20%). Average age was 73 years (33–93). Most common previous hip conditions were arthrosis, subcapital fracture, and revision THA. Of the fractures, 56% occurred with cementless THA and 44% with cemented. There was no history of trauma in 22% of the cases. Most common fractures were type B1 and B2. Conservative treatment was used in 10 cases with minimally-displaced fractures or in patients with a poor state of overall health. The remaining patients were treated with various surgical techniques. In 2 cases of postoperative fractures, intraoperative fractures or reaming defects were found which had previously been overlooked. Of fractures in patients who had undergone THA more than 10 years previously (5 cemented and 2 cementless), 5 patients required revision THA, and in 2 cases, surgical treatment was not elected due to high risk of medical complications. One patient required intervention for aseptic loosening of the femoral stem, and one patient underwent Girdlestone arthroplasty for an infected non-union.

Discussion and Conclusions: For optimal results, definitive treatment must be tailored to the individual and must be guided by the surgeon’s good judgement. Surgeons should balance the benefits and risks of aggressive and conservative treatments. Although there has been a low rate of non-union, we believe that cancellous or cortical allografts should be used more frequently to encourage bone healing.