ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the dynamic hip screw (DHS) and Medoff sliding plate (MSP) for unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures. DESIGN: A randomised, prospective trial design was used. SETTING: The study was undertaken in two level-1 trauma centres and one community hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 163 patients with unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures (Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) 31-A2) were randomised to DHS or MSP. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were designed to focus on isolated unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures in ambulatory patients. INTERVENTION: Randomisation was performed intra-operatively, after placement of a 135° guide wire. Follow-up assessments were performed at regular intervals for a minimum of 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measure was re-operation rate. The secondary outcome was patient function, evaluated using a validated outcome measure, the Hip Fracture Functional Recovery Score. Tertiary outcomes included: mortality, hospital stay, quality of reduction and malunion rate. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were randomised to DHS and 77 to MSP. The groups had similar patient demographics, pre-fracture status and in-hospital course. The quality of reduction was the same for each group, but the operative time was longer in the MSP group (61.6 vs. 50.1min, P=0.01). The rate of re-operation was low (3/86 in DHS and 2/77 in MSP) with no statistically significant difference. The functional outcomes were the same for both groups, with functional recovery scores at 6 months of 51.0% in the DHS arm and 49.7% in the MSP arm. CONCLUSIONS: The two techniques produced similar results for the clinically important outcomes of the need for further surgery and functional status of the patients at 6 months' follow-up.
