ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the efficacy and biomechanical properties of locking proximal femoral plate (LPFP) and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) for treating intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients. Methods One hundred and six elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur were randomly divided into LPFP group (53 cases) and PFNA group (53 cases). After treatment intervention, the operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, weight-bearing time, fracture healing time and Harris hip function score of 9 months after operation in two groups were recorded. The complications after operation in two groups were analyzed. Ten elderly fresh femoral specimens were selected to prepare the model of intertrochanteric femoral fracture in the elderly. They were randomly divided into PFNA group and LPFP group with 5 models in each group. After treatment and intervention, axial compression test, destructive load test and torsional stiffness test were conducted by mechanical testing machine, and biomechanical properties were recorded. Results The average operation time, weight-bearing time and fracture healing time in PFNA group were shorter than those in LPFP group (P<0.05), and the average intraoperative bleeding volume in PFNA group was less than that in LPFP group (P<0.05), and the average Harris score was higher than that in LPFP group (P<0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications in PFNA group and LPFP group was 7.56% and 18.87%, respectively, indicating a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After intervention treatment, the average axial compression, damage load and torsional stiffness in PFNA group were higher than those in LPFP group (P<0.05). ConclusionsPFNA caused minimal trauma for treating intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly. With its good biomechanical properties, PFNA could effectively promote fracture healing and hip function recovery, and significantly reduce the incidence of hip varus, screw loosening and cutting complications.