ABSTRACT
Ten patients with pathological proximal femoral fractures were treated with the Variwall reconstruction nail. There were five intertrochanteric, one combined shaft and neck, and four subtrochanteric fractures fixed by this method. The mean age was 71 (54-90). The purpose of this study was to assess the use of a reconstruction nail in pathological fractures around the intertrochanteric region. The Variwall nail was found to be relatively easy to insert with no operative complications. Follow up was for a minimum 4 months. Most patients achieved our aim of good pain relief coupled with improved mobility and thus were easier to nurse. Even with extensive metastases in the femur, the nail provided sound stability to permit early weight bearing. There were no complications related to the nail.
Subject(s)
Bone Nails , Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods , Hip Fractures/surgery , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Forty consecutive patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were treated with the Variwall reconstruction nail. Twelve of these had subtrochanteric extensions to their fractures, while most were highly comminuted grade 5 fractures. This nail was found to be relatively easy to use with a mean operative time of 58 min. Mean follow up was 5.8 months. Clinically, 86 per cent had occasional pain or none at all. There were no external rotation deformities, and only one case of shortening. Radiologically there were no non-unions and no case of shaft fractures. Failure occurred in one case, but in the remaining 39 no varus collapse occurred. In conclusion this method of fixation in unstable intertrochanteric fractures provides the necessary stability to give good results.
