Effect of a Trochanter-stabilizing Plate in Unstable IntertrochantericFractures : A Clinical and Biomechanical Study

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a trochanter-stabilizing plate (TSP) for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the clinical aspect of the study, 48 patients who were treated surgically for unstable intertrochanteric fractures were evaluated. One group of patients was treated with CHS [spell out with 1st use] only (group 1, n=23) and the other group was treated with CHS and TSP (group 2, n=25). In the biomechanical aspect of the study, an AO type A2.2 intertrochanteric fracture was reproduced in 10 proximal femur models. Five models were reduced and fixed using CHS only (group 1) and 5 models were fixed using CHS with TSP (group 2). A load of 750 N (300 cycles) was applied using Instron. RESULTS: In the clinical aspect of the study, the extent of lag screw sliding, greater trochanter lateralization, and neckshaft angle varus change was less in group 2 than in group 1. In the biomechanical aspect of the study, the extent of lag screw sliding was less in group 2 than in group 1, but the neck-shaft angle varus change was greater in group 2 than in group 1. CONCLUSION: The use of TSP is effective for the buttress effect on the proximal fragment. It decreases the excessive sliding of the lag screw, lateral displacement of the greater trochanter, and neck-shaft angle varus change. Therefore, TSP may be a useful treatment for unstable intertrochanteric fractures.