Treatment of Subtrochanteric Fractures Using the Proximal Femoral Locked Plate

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University* and Damanhour Teaching Hospital**

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Subtrochanteric femur fractures are one of the most devastating injuries. Most of the fractures in the elderly results from trivial fall while in the younger age group it is mainly due to high energy trauma. Fixing subtrochanteric fractures properly is clinically challenging. Various implants both intramedullary and extramedullary are available for their fixation.
Aim of Study: To evaluate the short-term outcomes of proximal femoral locking compression plate (PF-LCP) fixation for subtrochanteric femoral fractures.
Material and Methods: 30 patients with subtrochanteric fractures were operated upon with open reduction and internal fixation with proximal femoral locked plate. The Harris Hip score was used to document hip function at final follow-up.
Results: 28 patients were available for final follow-up after death of two patients. The mean age was 46.20 years. The mean operative time was 125.6 minutes, mean incision length was 18.33cm, mean blood loss was 360ml and mean follow-up was 9.66 month. Union was achieved in all cases in 18.25 weeks. Complications included three cases of delayed union, five cases of superficial wound infection, two cases of malunion with varus deformity and shortening of 1.5 and 2cm. Final evaluation according to Harris Hip score was excellent in 15 cases (53.6%), good in 11 (39.3%) and fair in 2 (7.1%).
Conclusion: The Proximal femoral LCP is a satisfactory and feasible method of treatment in subtrochanteric femur fractures.

Keywords