J Korean Fract Soc.  2003 Apr;16(2):136-142. 10.12671/jksf.2003.16.2.136.

Treatment of Unstable Intertrochanteric Femoral Fracture with the AO/ASIF Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN)

• Moon DH
• Choi JS
• Kim GB
• Kim JW
• Kim KT

• KMID: 2195484
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2003.16.2.136

Abstract

PURPOSE: To review the clinical and radiographic results of the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures with a proximal femoral nail (PFN).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed 47 unstable intertrochanteric femoral fracture cases that had been treated with a PFN operatively. The clinical and radiographic results and complications were analyzed. The mean age was 76.8 years old (62~96 years old) and the mean duration of follow-up was 15 months (12~24 months).
RESULTS
The postoperative walking ability was regarded as satisfactory when the patient could walk alone using an walking frame without others aids and satisfactory results was achieved in 43 cases (91.5%). In all cases the radiologic bone union was obtained. The average sliding of femoral neck screw was 3.0 mm and the average change of neck-shaft angle was 2.6 degree. There were three cases of postoperative complication which were including 1 case of cut-out of femoral neck screw, local superficial infection in 1 case and pain complaints over trochanteric area in 1 case.
CONCLUSION
The PFN is an useful implant for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fracture because of the simplicity of the surgical technique and the low level of the complications encountered.

Keyword

Unstable intertrochanteric femoral fracture; Proximal femoral nail

MeSH Terms

Femoral Fractures*
Femur
Femur Neck
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Postoperative Complications
Walking