J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2024 Jun;59(3):208-218. 10.4055/jkoa.2024.59.3.208 .

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures Treated with Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced and Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-II: Correlation between Lateral Sliding of the Helical Blade and Lateral Trochanteric Pain

• Jung SY
• Lee MJ
• Wang L
• Kim HJ
• Sung DH
• Park JH

• KMID: 2556587
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2024.59.3.208

Abstract

Purpose
This study examined the clinical and radiological outcomes of TFNA (Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced) and PFNA-II (Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-II) used in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures. The association between lateral screw sliding and lateral trochanteric pain was analyzed.
Materials and Methods
The study included 116 patients diagnosed with unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures who underwent intramedullary nailing surgery at the author’s hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: 72 who received PFNA-II and 44 who received TFNA. Ten patients with positive greater trochanter tenderness and 106 patients with negative tenderness were assessed for the factors associated with lateral trochanteric pain. The radiological outcomes included an evaluation of fracture union, screw position, tipapex distance, proximal femoral nail protrusion, and lateral sliding length of the helical blade. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Harris Hip Score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, greater trochanter tenderness, and pre- and postoperative ambulation ability.
Results
Thirty-three patients (45.8%) of the PFNA-II group and 18 (40.9%) of the TFNA group had lateral sliding of the helical blade, with no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.604). The VAS score was significantly higher in the TFNA group (3.77±1.71) than the PFNA-II group (3.10±1.57, p=0.032). Furthermore, the prevalence of a positive greater trochanter tenderness was significantly higher in the TFNA group (seven patients) than in the PFNA-II group (3 patients, p=0.04). Eight patients had lateral sliding in the positive greater trochanter tenderness group, whereas 43 had lateral sliding in the negative greater trochanter tenderness group (p=0.030). The lateral sliding length was 8.87±5.22 and 2.68±4.47 in the positive and negative groups, respectively (p<0.001).
Conclusion
The PFNA-II and TFNA groups showed favorable clinical and radiological outcomes, suggesting that both devices are suitable for treating unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures. A comparison of the two devices showed that TFNA induces more lateral trochanteric pain than PFNA-II, and the presence and extent of lateral sliding were associated with lateral trochanteric pain.

Keyword

femur; hip fractures; intertrochanteric fracture; Proximal Femoral Nailing Antirotation II; Trochanteric Fixation Nail Advanced