RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare with general characteristics affecting ambulatory recovery at one-year after the fixation of intertrochanteric fracture with proximal femoral nail (PFN) of elderly patients over the age of 65 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2008 and September 2015, 152 patients were diagnosed with femoral intertrochanteric fracture in Dong-Eui Medical Center. Of these patients, 75 were available in this retrospective study. Multivariate linear regression analysis, using a stepwise selection method, were performed to identify the prognostic factors affecting one-year postoperative recovery of ambulatory status, such as pre-injury ambulatory status, gender, age, fracture type, associated underlying disease, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, dementia, and complication. RESULTS: A decrease in the one-year postoperative ambulatory status was 68% and pre-injury ambulatory status was regained in 32% of patients. The pre-injury ambulatory status was the most important determinant of one-year postoperative recovery of ambulatory status. The ASA grade and complication were also predictors of recovery of ambulatory status. CONCLUSION: Pre-injury ambulatory status, ASA grade and complication were prognostic factors associated with one-year postoperative recovery of ambulatory status after fixating the intertrochanteric fracture using PFN in elderly patients over the age of 65 years.