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Subtrochanteric Fractures. Mitch Armstrong PGY-1 . The Case. HPI- 81 F, from RH. Tripped on carpet walking to breakfast. Landed face first onto floor. Laceration sustained to forehead. Unable to ambulate, C/O sore neck as well. Normally ambulates without gait aids
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Subtrochanteric Fractures Mitch Armstrong PGY-1
The Case • HPI- 81 F, from RH. Tripped on carpet walking to breakfast. Landed face first onto floor. Laceration sustained to forehead. Unable to ambulate, C/O sore neck as well. • Normally ambulates without gait aids • PMHx- HTN, new onset Afib (in Emerg), GERD, Depression, 50 pack year smoking history • All- NKDA • Meds- Escitalopram, HCTZ, Lansoprazole, MV, Vit D, Calcium Carb
Background • # between the LT and a point 5 cm distal • In young patient results from high energy mechanism - often polytraumatized (MVAs, gun shot, falls from a height) • In elderly osteopenic patients, results from low energy mechanism - falls from standing height
Anatomy • Composed mainly of cortical bone, less vascularity, diminished capacity for healing compared with intertrochanteric #’s • Medial and posterio-medial cortices experiences high compressive forces - can exceed upwards of 1000 ppsi in > 200lb person • Lateral cortex experiences high tensile forces • Proximal fragment experiences deforming forces from hip flexors and abductors • Distal fragment experiences deforming forces from adductor muscles
Operative Treatments • IM Nail- Gold Standard • Can chose piriformis or trochanteric starting point - most important factor is quality of reduction • Proximal locking choices of ‘greater to lesser’ with single locking screw OR • Reconstruction or cephomedullary locking screw into femoral head -decision of Gamma type nail vs. Recon nail
Operative Treatments • With IM nailing, imperative that reaming carried out with appropriate reduction • Avoid varus malreduction and flexion deformity of proximal fragment • Nail path should parallel along the anterior lateral cortex of proximal femur (Russell et al.) • Techniques such as blocking screws, clamp reduction, cable cerclage (can lead to significant soft tissue damage), ball-spiked pusher inserted through small stab incisions can be useful aids (Rhorer AS, Seyhan et al). • Most common complication of blocking screwis occurrence of # at BS site
Complications • Malunion- relatively common • Limp, leg length discrepancy, or rotational deformity. • Varus deformity - uncorrected abduction deformity of proximal segment caused by hip abductors. • Leg length discrepancy- complex problem usually related to extensive comminution, dynamically locked distal screws • Malrotation
Complications • Loss of fixation- femoral head cutout, entry portal comminution, screws breakage (related to mal-alignment) • Nonunion- rare • Unable to resume FWB by 6 months, pain in proximal thigh. • If alignment appropriate consider exchange nailing with larger diameter nail • If hardware failure, malalignment, proximal fragment shortening, requires non-union take down • Infection- Difficult to treat, associated with nonunions
References • Russell T., Hassan R., Stoneback BS., Cohen J. Avoidance of Malreduction of Proximal Femoral Shaft Fractures With the Use of a Minimally Invasive Nail Insertion Technique. 2008. JOT:22(6). • Seyhan M., Koray U., Sener N. Comparison of reduction methods in intramedullary nailing of subtrochanteric femoral fractures. 2012. ActaOrthopTraumatolTurc. 46(2). • Rhorer AS. Percutaneous/Minimally Invasive Techniques in Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fractures With an Intramedullary Nail. 2009. JOT:23(5). • Bucholz RW., Heckman JD. Subtrochanteric Fractures. 2010. Rockwood and Green’s Fractures in Adults.