ObjectiveTo compare the biomechanical properties between the proximal femoral locking plate and Gamma3 for fixing stable intertrochanteric fracture so as to provide a theoretical basis for selecting internal fixation in the clinical application. MethodsFive pairs of antiseptic femur specimens were selected. Specimens of each pair of matching were randomly divided into groups A and B (n=5). All specimens were made the intertrochanteric fracture of 31A1.1 type according to AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification. Fracture was fixed with Gamma3 in group A and with proximal femoral locking plate in group B. The axial compression, destruction, and torsion tests were carried out on the mechanical testing machine. ResultsAxial compression test:The load-displacement curve of groups A and B was basically a straight line; axial stiffness of groups A and B was (621.00±36.48) N/mm and (542.55±46.94) N/mm respectively, showing significant difference (t=3.648, P=0.036). Destruction test:The maximum yield load of groups A and B was (4 394.82±450.37) N and (2 987.54±112.14) N respectively, showing significant difference (t=5.433, P=0.032). After loading maximum yield load, femoral fracture occurred again, and internal fixation and bone interface loosening were observed in group A; bending and breaking of proximal locking screw for internal fixation were found in group B, but loosening of internal fixation and bone interface was more obvious in group A than in group B. Torsion test:The torque of specimens in 2 groups increased with the increase of torsion angle (P < 0.05), the torque corresponding to the torsion angle in group B was larger than that in group A, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The torsional stiffness of groups A and B was (1.78±0.16) N·mm/deg and (2.01±0.08) N·mm/deg respectively, showing no significant difference (t=-3.833, P=0.162). ConclusionProximal femoral locking plate and Gamma3 in the treatment of stable intertrochanteric fracture have good biomechanical properties, which can meet the requirements of minimal invasion, strong internal fixation, and early activity.
Objective To explore the effects of various kinds of internal fixations on unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures. Methods From January 2000 to December 2004,88 cases of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures were treated. There were 52 males and 36 females (aged 19-86 years). Twenty-two cases were caused by fall from height, 36 by motor vehicle accident and 20 by fall and 10 by tumble. They were divided into 4 groups according to 4 kinds of internal fixations: dynamic hip screw(DHS,group A, n=42), anatomical proximal femur bone plate (group B, n=23), proximal femoral nail(PFN,group C, n=8)and dynamic condylar screw (DCS, group D, n=15). According to the modified Evan’s classification, fractures were all unstable type and were classified as follow types: group A (15 type Ⅲ, 8 type Ⅳ and 19 type Ⅴ); group B (12 type Ⅲ, 5 type Ⅳ and 6 type Ⅴ); group C (3 type Ⅲ,2 type Ⅳ and 3 type Ⅴ); and group D (10 type Ⅲ,3 type Ⅳ and 2 type Ⅴ). The data of operative time, intra-operative blood loss, intraoperative complications, fluoroscopy exposures, clinical healing time of fracture, post-operative restored function and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed statistically using the SPSS 12.0 software package.Results All patients were followed up for 12-48 month (18 months on average). All patients achieved clinical healing. Coxa varus occurred in 3 cases of group A, in 1 case ofgroup C and in 3 cases of group D . The differences were of no statistical significance in operative time and postoperative complications between 4 groups (P>0.05). The difference was of statistical significance in the blood loss between groups A,B and groups C,D (P<0.05) but no statistical significance between group C and group D (P>0.05). The difference was of statistical significance in the fluoroscopy exposures, clinical healing time of fracture and postoperative complications between group B and the other groups (P<0.05). The difference was of statistical significance in the postoperative restored functions between group D and theother groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The anatomical proximal femur bone plate is a useful device in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fracture. The operative manipulation is simple and the hip functions recover well.
Objective To introduce a novel comprehensive classification for femoral intertrochanteric fractures, and to accommodate the clinical requirement for the world-wide outbreak of geriatric hip fractures and surgical operations. Methods On the basis of reviewing the history of classification of femoral intertrochanteric fractures and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification in different periods, combined with the current situation of extensive preoperative CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction and widespread use of intramedullary nail fixation in China, the “Elderly Hip Fracture” Research Group of the Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery Committee of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medical Association proposed a novel comprehensive classification for femoral intertrochanteric fractures, focusing on the structure of fracture stability reconstruction during internal fixation. Results The novel comprehensive classification of femoral intertrochanteric fractures incorporates multiple indicators of fracture classification, including the orientation of the fracture line, the degree of fracture fragmentation, the lesser trochanteric bone fragment and its distal extension length (>2 cm), the posterior coronal bone fragment and its anterior extension width (involving the lateral cortex of the head and neck implant entry point), transverse fracture of the lateral and anterior wall and its relationship with the implant entry point in the head and neck, and whether the cortex of the anteromedial inferior corner can be directly reduced to contact, etc. The femoral intertrochanteric fractures are divided into 4 types (type A1 is simple two-part fractures, type A2 is characterized by lesser trochanter fragment and posterior coronal fractures, type A3 is reverse obliquity and transverse fractures, type A4 is medial comminution which lacks anteromedial cortex transmission of compression force), each of which is subdivided into 4 subtypes and further subdivide into finer subgroups. In a review of 550 trochanteric hip fracture cases by three-dimensional CT, type A1 accounted for 20.0%, type A2 for 62.5%, type A3 for 15.5%, and type A4 for 2.0%, respectively. For subtypes, A2.2 is with a “banana-like” posterior coronal fragment, A2.4 is with distal cortex extension >2 cm of the lesser trochanter and anterior cortical expansion of the posterior coronal fragment to the entry portal of head-neck implants, A3.4 is a primary pantrochanteric fracture, and A4.4 is a concomitant ipsilateral segmental fracture of the neck and trochanter region. ConclusionThe novel comprehensive classification of femoral intertrochanteric fractures can describe the morphological characteristics of fractures in more detail, include more rare and complex types, provide more personalized subtype selection, and adapt to the clinical needs of both fractures and surgeries.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) combined with mini plate for reconstruction of lateral femoral wall in the treatment of type AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture. Methods The clinical data of 70 elderly patients with AO/OTA type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture treated between January 2013 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into group A (PFNA alone, 35 cases) and group B (PFNA combined with mini plate reconstruction of lateral femoral wall, 35 cases). There was no significant difference in the general data of gender, age, side, cause of injury, time from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, postoperative complications, and the tip apex distance (TAD) at 2 months after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups. Harris hip score was used to evaluate the function at 12 months after operation. Results Both groups were followed up 9-21 months, with an average of 16.6 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in TAD between the two groups at 2 months after operation (t=0.096, P=0.462). There were 5 complications (14.3%) occurred in group A, including 2 cases of blade perforating from the hip joint, 2 cases of screw back out, and 1 case of bone nonunion; only 1 case (2.9%) in group B had screw back out after operation; there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (χ2=2.917, P=0.088). All the fracture healed in group B, and 1 patient in group A suffered bone nonunion and eventually main nail fracture. The healing time of fracture in group A [(15.6±2.7) weeks] was significantly longer than that in group B [(12.5±2.5) weeks], showing significant difference (t=2.064, P=0.023). At 12 months after operation, according to Harris score, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 13 cases, and poor in 8 cases in group A, the qualified rate (Harris score>70) was 77.14%; and the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 11 cases, fair in 16 cases, and poor in 1 case in group B, the qualified rate was 97.14%; there was significant difference in the qualified rate between the two groups (χ2=6.248, P=0.012). Conclusion Compared with PFNA alone, the treatment of AO/OTA type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture with PFNA combined with mini plate reconstruction of lateral femoral wall can significantly reduce postoperative complications, promote fracture healing, and improve functional recovery of patients after operation.