Results of Treating Senile Osteoporotic Peritrochanteric Fracture with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA)

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of treating senile osteoporotic peritrochanteric fracture with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2006 and December 2007, 21 patients older than 65 years of age with intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures were treated with PFNA. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.9 months and the mean age was 74.5 years. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 48.8 minutes (range 25-90 minutes). The time to ambulation averaged 7.9 days. Eighty point nine percent (17 cases) of the patients returned to their previous walking status at 6 months after operation. The average T-score was -3.3. Eighteen cases (85.7%) achieved acceptable reduction and the mean time to radiologic bony union was 17.4 weeks. The average amount of PFNA blade sliding was 4 mm and the neck-shaft angle was changed to 1.3 degrees varus displacement at the final follow-up. The complications included pulmonary edema in 1 case and protrusion of the PFNA blade into the hip joint in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Because of the reduced operation time, favorable walking ability and low rate of complications, PFNA is an acceptable alternative for fixation of senile osteoporotic peritrochanteric fracture.