Mechanical complications of trochanteric fractures treated by dynamic hip screw

ABSTRACT

One hundred and forty seven cases, 61 males and 86 females, with intertroehanteric fractures treated by dynamic hip screw fixation were reviewed for mechanical complications. The fractures were stable in 52 cases and unstable in 95. The average follow up was 15 months. Severe osteoporosis was present in 68 [46.3%] of them. Mechanical complications were encountered in 12 [8.2%] of the cases Painful bursitis due to excessive lateral protrusion of the compression screw 4, protrusion of the screw tip into the hip-joint 1, loss of reduction with the screw cutting through the femoral head 5 or neck 1, and pulling out of the side-plate from the femoral shaft 1. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of complications related to the severity of osteoporosis or to the instability of fractures. Most complications occurred because of technical errors or injudicious loading during early ambulation