DOI: 10.5958/2319-5886.2015.00123.

International Journal of Medical Research

&
Health Sciences
www.ijmrhs.com
Volume 4 Issue 3
th
Received: 4 June 2015
Research article

Coden: IJMRHS
Revised: 19th June 2015

Copyright @2015
ISSN: 2319-5886
Accepted: 22nd June 2015

OUTCOME OF INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES TREATED WITH SHORT FEMORAL NAIL

Yadkikar Shriniwas V1, Yadkikar Vishnu S2, Patel Mayank3, Dhruvilkumar Gandhi3, Kunkulol Rahul4
1

Assistant Professor, 2Prof. & Unit In charge, 3Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, Rural Medical

College, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (DU), Loni, Maharashtra

4
Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Rural Medical College, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (DU),
Loni, Maharashtra
*Corresponding author email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Aim: To study the functional and anatomical outcome of Inter trochanteric fractures of femur treated with Short
femoral nail. Method: This was retrospective study carried out in which 60 patients (50 Male & 10 Female) of 5th
to 8th decade of life who underwent Short femoral nail fixation for both Stable & unstable Inter Trochanteric
fractures. From the records each patient data was assessed for time required for mobilization, average fracture
healing time, degree and grade of hip range of movements, complications, anatomical reduction achieved using
Short femoral nail fixation. Results: 55 cases achieved Anatomical reduction. Good to Excellent Hip range of
Motion was in 55 (90 %) cases. Fracture union was seen in all cases. No evidence of Z Effect, AVN of femoral
head, Implant failure, Fracture of femoral shaft below the Nail tip was seen in any case, However Reverse Z
Effect was seen in 4 & shortening of less than 2 cm was seen in 2 cases, External rotation of 10 degree was seen
in1 case. Average fracture Union time was 14 weeks. Conclusion: Short femoral nail appears to be better
implant for fixation of both Stable & unstable Inter Trochanteric fractures as it fulfills the biomechanical
demands being minimally invasive, less blood loss , it prevents excessive varus collapse at fracture site, produces
less stress riser effect below the nail tip, Short operative time, Facilitates early mobilization & functional
recovery of patients. But Anatomical fracture reduction & optimal implant placement are absolutely must for
better results.
Keywords: Short femoral nail, trochanteric fractures
INTRODUCTION
Intertrochantric fractures are common in 5th 8th
[1,2].
decade of life
Conservative treatment is poorly
tolerated by elderly patients making operative
treatment as treatment of choice [1-4]. Dynamic hip
[1, 4, 5]
screw is time tested extrmedullary device
. But
it has disadvantages like larger soft tissue dissection,
more blood loss, medialization of distal fragment,cut
[3]
out of screw & excessive collapse at fracture site .
To avoid these complications intramedullary devices
are developed which are minimally invasive. Gamma
Shriniwas et al.,

nail first of its generation has provision of only single

[3,4]
screw placement which can cutout
. To overcome
this complication Proximal femoral nail was
developed by AO/ASIF in 1997 which has provision
of two proximal screw placement making construct
biomechanically stable & suitable even for Unstable
[4],.
trochnateric fractures
Gamma nail & Proximal
femoral both have larger proximal diameter for
average Indian femur [1,2,3], which can cause
[3].
splintering of bone
This led to invention of Short
Int J Med Res Health Sci. 2015;4(3):646-651

646

femoral nail with length of 180mm & proximal

diameter of 15mm. This enables easy insertion &
[3].
reduces chances of fracture of femur
This nail has
longitudinal slot throughout its length which helps in
accelerating the endosteal bone healing process [3,4]. It
also has 6 degrees of medio lateral angle & flutted
distal tip which facilitates easy insertion, reduces
stress concentration below the nail tip[3] In this series
we have reviewed records of 60 patients with both
stable & unstable trochanterric fractures treated with
short femoral nail.
Aim: To study the functional and anatomical
outcome of Inter trochanteric fractures of femur
treated with Short femoral nail
Objective:
1. To study the time required for mobilization of
Inter trochanteric fractures of femur treated with
Short femoral nail fixation
2. To determine the average fracture healing time of
Inter trochanteric fractures of femur treated with
Short femoral nail
3. To find out degree and grade of hip range of
movements achieved with Inter trochanteric
fractures of femur treated with Short femoral nail
4. To study the complications if any with the Inter
trochanteric fractures of femur treated with Short
femoral nail
5. To assess the anatomical reduction achieved
using Short femoral nail fixation
MATERIAL & METHOD
Study design: Retrospective analysis. Records of
60cases of Inter Trochanteric fractures treated with
Short femoral nail from Dec 2012 to April 2015in our
department.
Ethical approval: The study was started after taking
permission from Ethical committee.
Inclusion criteria: Patients of both sexes with both
Stable & unstable intertrochanteric fractures from of
5th to 8th decade of life who underwent Short femoral
nail fixation.
Exclusion criteria: 1. Patients with intertrochanteric
fractures with subtrochanteric extensions. 2. Patients
with intertrochanteric fractures with ipsilateral
femoral shaft fractures fixation. 3. Those patients
whose detail records were incomplete
Methodology:

Shriniwas et al.,

Hospital records of total 60 cases of intertrochanteric

fractures treated with Short Femoral Nail fixation
from Dec 2012 to April 2015 in the department of
Orthopaedics, Rural medical college, Loni.
The following parameters were assessed form the
records:
Age, Gender, Mode of Injury (Domestic Fall /High
velocity trauma), Stable or unstable intertrochanteric
fractures pattern on X rays ( stability of fracture was
decided by presence or absence of posterio medial
cortex integrity of proximal femur, Fractures were
classified by AO/ASIF Classification), Duration
between admission & operation, Type of reduction
obtained Closed or Open, Time required for
mobilization following fracture fixation, Fracture
healing time in weeks, Assessment of Functional
recovery by hip range of motion by Harris Hip Score
& ability to do activities of daily routine like
climbing stairs, squatting, walking, cross leg sitting,
Occurrence of
Complications following Short
femoral nail fixation like Reverse Z ,Z effect, implant
failure, infection, AVN femoral head, Non union,
Anatomical reduction achieved following fracture
fixation by restoration of posterior & medial cortex
integrity & restoration of Neck shaft angle.
RESULTS
Amongst 60 cases 50 were Male & 10 Females.
Majority of patients were from 5th 8th decade of life
(Mean age 67yrs) [Table 1]. Most common
mechanism (in 50 cases) of injury was Domestic fall
while in 10 cases it was High velocity trauma.
AO/ASIF Classification was used [Table 2]
Table 1: Age wise distribution Number of patients
Age range Male Female
Total
Percentage
50-59
15
2
17
28%
60-69
25
4
29
48%
70-79
8
3
11
18%
80-89
2
1
3
5%
Table 2: Fracture Pattern
Number Percentage
Fracture Pattern
Stable fractures A1
21
35
Unstable fractures A2 24
40
Unstable fractures A3 15
25

Stable fracture pattern was seen in 35 % cases,

while unstable pattern was seen in 75 %
Per operatively patients were above knee skin traction
on Thomas splint. Average duration between
admission & operation was 8 days. No pre operative
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647

CT scan was done in any case. IV antibiotics

(Intravenous Injection Cefotaxim 1 gm twice a day)
were given up to 5 days post operatively.
Patients were operated in supine position on fracture
table with affected limb given adduction & traction.
Closed Anatomical reduction was achieved in 55
cases while 5 cases required minimal open reduction
[Fig 1].
Fig 3: Case2 Preoperative and postoperative X
ray showing Implant in situ in reduced fracture
(AP view)

Fig 1 : Type of reduction

In 55(92%) cases closed Anatomical reduction was
achieved
Anatomical reduction was assessed on image
intensifier in AP & Lateral view by restoration of
Posterior & medial cortex continuity. Approximately
5 cm incision was given from Tip of trochanter &
extended up wards. Under image intensifier control
Guide wire was passed through the tip of trochanter
across the fracture site. Short Femoral nail was
mounted over Jig & it was inserted across the fracture
site over guide wire. Depending up on neck shaft
angle of reduced fracture nail of 135 degree was used
in 55 while that of 130 degree used in 5 cases. Then
over the guide wire for proximal locking screw
6.4mm Antirotation screw & then 7.9mm cervical
screw inserted through Jig in to the femoral head their
central position was confirmed on image intensifier in
both AP & Lateral view [Fig 2, 3, 4, 5].

Fig 2: Case 1 Preoperative and postoperative X

ray showing Implant in situ in reduced fracture
(AP view)

Shriniwas et al.,

Fig 4: Case 3, Preoperative and postoperative X

ray showing Implant in situ in reduced fracture
(AP view)

Fig 5: Case 4, Preoperative and postoperative X

ray showing Implant in situ in reduced fracture
(AP view)
Depending upon the stability of constructs Dynamic
or static distal locking was done. Wound was closed
in layers. As per pain tolerance active knee &hip
mobilization was started by post op day 4 -5.
Average operation time was 60 minutes. Average
hospital stay was 3 weeks. As per pain tolerance
active quadriceps strengthening & knee mobilization
exercises started by post op day 4 -5. Non weight
bearing mobilization with walker was started by 2
weeks, while full weight bearing was permitted only
when complete Radiological & Clinical evidence of
complete fracture union [Fig 6].

Int J Med Res Health Sci. 2015;4(3):646-651

648

Fig 6 : Time required for non weight bearing

mobilization
Average fracture union time was 14 weeks. Fracture
union was seen in all cases. Commonly used nail
diameter was 10mm. Average follow up period was
1 year. Recently done 5 more cases are still under
follow up. Functional recovery of patients was
assessed by Harris Hip Score & ability to perform
activities of daily routine like walking, squatting,
cross leg sitting, stair case climbing was done. Good
to excellent results were seen in 55 (90%) cases
[Fig7,8]

Fig 7 : Hip range of motion as per harris hip score

Fig 8: Functional recovery assessment

Few complications were seen in our series. But none
of the mentioned complications hampered functional
recovery of patient. There was no evidence of Z
Effect , non union, implant failure , fracture shaft
femur below the nail tip, no revision surgery
required, no evidence of Avascular necrosis of
femoral head seen in any case in this series.[Fig .9]

Shriniwas et al.,

Fig 9 : Post operative complication

Reverse Z effect was seen in 4 cases , shortening
of less than 2 cm was seen in 2 cases,.No
evidance of Z effect, AVN, Implant failure was
seen in any case
DISCUSSION
Inter Trochanteric fractures are very frequently faced
by orthopaedic surgeons worldwide [4]. Increase in the
incidence of these fractures are seen 5th decade of life
onwards [1,4,5]. Age of patient, osteoporosis, general
health, associated co morbidities are some of the key
factors to be considered for the successful treatment
of these fractures[3,4]. Conservative treatment is
poorly tolerated by elderly patients & it is also
associated with complications like Decubitus ulcers,
Deep vein thrombosis, and Aspiration pneumonitis [4].
There for surgical treatment is preferred option of
treatment as it facilitates early mobilization &
functional recovery [1,4-9]
Dynamic hip screw is time tested extramedullary
load bearing device used for fixation of trochanteric
[1,4,10-13].
fractures
It works on the principal of
controlled concentric collapse at fracture site. But it
also has disadvantages like it requires larger surgical
exposure leading to more blood loss, devices causes
excessive collapse at fracture site, possibilities of cut
out of lag screw from femoral head if not placed
[3,4]
properly . In osteoporotic bones & unstable
fractures complications like fracture instability,
excessive medialization fracture fragment may lead to
pain & deformity [3]
The Cephalomedullary nails with Trochanter tip as
entry portal are Load sharing implants, as they are
placed close to the mechanical axis of femur, they
have short lever arm. In unstable trochanteric
fractures control of axial load transmission &
rotational stability are important factors which are
effectively managed by intramedullary devices[3]. So
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649

they are considered biomechanically stronger than

[3,4].
extramedullary devices
Identification of Tip of
trochanter is easy & requires less soft tissue
dissection [3,4]
Gamma nail the original design of cephalomedullary
nail has provision of single screw placement in the
femoral head. But single screw construct was
[3,4],
considered unstable for trochanteric fractures
which led to introduction of Proximal femoral nail in
1997by AO/ASIF which has provision of two screw
placement in the femoral head. This system of
Antirotation screw & cervical load bearing screw in
this nail makes this construct biomechanically very
[3,4,9]
stable
. As compared to Gamma nail there is
less incidence of fracture of femoral shaft below the
nail tip[4,9] But Proximal femoral nail may also have
complications like Reverse Z effect, Z effect, lateral
wall of trochanter fracture in osteoportic bone,
incidence of fracture of femoral shaft below the nail
[4,9]
tip cannot be ruled out12
Both Gamma & Proximal femoral nail has proximal
diameter of 17mm which can be large of average
[1,3].
Indian femur13
Thus it can lead to widening &
[3]
eventual fracture of trochanter
Standered Proximal femoral nail has 250mm length,
it crosses femoral isthmus &sometimes it can abut
against the femoral shaft leading anterior thigh pain.
Fixation below the level of isthmus is not required in
most of intertrochanteric fractures.If there is
mismatch between nail size & femoral curvatures it
can lead to cortex penetration & splintering [3,4]. This
can happen due to over sized implant which is
manufactured
as
per
western
population
[3].
anthropometric parameters
Short femoral nail is designed to have length of
180mm with proximal diameter of 15mm. It also has
tip of trochanter as entry portal but due to its small
[3]
size it reduces stress concentration at this site . It
doesnt cross femoral isthmus, it prevents
[3][
metallization of femoral shaft Fig8.1,8.2] . It also
causes efficient load transfer than extramedullary
devices by acting like internal buttress [3]. Small
diameter of nail may also prevent splintering of
femoral shaft & fracture below the nail tip[3]
[
Fig9.1,9.2].
In our assessment it was observed that majority of
patients were from 5th 7th decade of life. Average
time of non weight bearing mobilization of patient
Shriniwas et al.,

following short femoral nail fixation was 2weeks,

Good to excellent functional recovery assessed by
Harris Hip Score & ability to perform activities of
daily routine like walking, squatting, cross leg sitting,
climbing stairs was seen in 90 % cases, it is
minimally invasive so it is better tolerated by elderly
patients. Closed anatomical reduction which achieved
by restoration of integrity of posterior & medial
femoral cortex seen on AP & Lateral view of X-rays
was seen in 92% cases. Average fracture union time
was also 14 weeks. Fracture fixation with short
femoral nail was also observed with fewer
complications. None of the observed complications in
the assessment was hampering functional recovery of
patients.
CONCLUSION
Short femoral nail appears to be better implant for
fixation of both Stable & unstable Inter Trochanteric
fractures as it fulfills the demands being minimally
invasive, less blood loss prevents excessive varus
collapse at fracture site, produces less stress riser
effect below the nail tip, Short operative time,
Facilitates early mobilization of patients which is
very helpful in elderly patients. But it also important
that Anatomical or Near Anatomical fracture
reduction & optimal implant placement are absolutely
must for better results.
Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Dr K Vilas
Babu Prof. & Head and sincere thanks supporting
staff of Operation Theater & Department of
Orthopaedics, Rural Medical College, Loni
Conflict of interest: None declared
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