ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Both proximal femoral nail and hemiarthroplasty have been applied in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in osteoporotic patients. However, which has better curative efficacy is still under discussion.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of proximal femoral nail versus hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fracture in osteoporotic patients.METHODS: Sixty-seven patients diagnosised with unstable intertrochanteric fractures and osteoporosis were selected,and were randomly divided into two groups, followed by treated with hemiarthroplasty (group 1, n=35)) and proximal femoral nail (group 2, n=32), respectively. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of incision, postoperative time in bed, hospitalization time and complications were recorded and compared between two groups. Harris hip scores were used to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative hip function.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In the group 1, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss and length of incision were more than those in the group 1, and the postoperative time in bed was less than that in the group 2 (P 0.05). (2) No significant difference was observed in the excellent and good rate in Harris hip scores between two groups at the last follow-up (P >0.05). The postoperative pain scores in the group 1 were significantly superior to those in the group 2 (P < 0.05). (3)There were 1 case of delayed union and 1 case of lateral hip appearing with pain in the group 2. At the last follow-up, all patients healed completely, and no prosthesis dislocation, loosening or infection was found. (4) To condude,hemiarthroplasty provides early functional recovery and fewer complications, but with much surgical trauma. Proximal femoral nail shows similar treatment outcomes with hemiarthroplasty; therefore, it is a kind of alternative treatment strategy for unstable intertrochanteric fractures.