Treatment of trochanteric fractures is associated a high complication rate. This prospective multicenter study evaluates the new Zimmer Cephalomedullary Nail (CMN).

Patients over 50 years sustaining a pertrochanteric or subtrochanteric femoral fracture were prospectively enrolled and patients with multiple injuries, pathological fractures or severe dementia were excluded.

101 patients (70% female, 30% male) from 5 different hospitals were prospectively recruited between January 2011 and August 2012. Mean age was 78 (51–98) years and mean Charlson Score was 2.6 (1–6). 65% of the trochanteric fractures were unstable, 35% were stable. There were 4 (5%) minor (3 superficial infections and 1 pain over distal locking screw) and 3 (4%) major (2 lag screw cut out, 1 nail breakage) complications Fracture healing was completed in 27 of 31 patients (87%) after 12 month (3 month: 14/42 (33%); 6 month: 27/39(69%)). The Barthel Index (85, SD 19) and EQ-5-D (0.61, SD 0.30) values reached prefracture level after 6 month.

The study population and fracture type were comparable to other studies and complication and early union rates were also comparable. Technical complications were low and early functional results encouraging. Final results of this trial at one year follow up are awaited.