Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma Publish Ahead of Print DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000000369
Evaluation and Management of an Unstable Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur: A case report Harish Kempegowda, MS; Akhil Tawari, MS; Michael Suk, MD JD MPH FACS, Daniel S.
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Horwitz, MD*
*Corresponding Author
PA 17822-2130, USA Tel: 570-271-6541 Fax: 570-271-5872
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Email Address:
[email protected] TE
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N. Academy Ave, Danville,
Conflict of Interest: Dr. Horwitz is a consultant and receives royalties from Biomet. Remaining authors declare no conflicts.
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No reproduced copyrighted materials are used within this manuscript.
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The views and opinions expressed in this case report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma or Biomet.
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Introduction:
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Unstable intertrochanteric fractures (IT) are relatively common injuries among the geriatric
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population.1,
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integrity, intertrochanteric fractures with sub trochanteric extension and the reverse oblique
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pattern are considered unstable.2,
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hardware failure, non-union, malunion, limb length discrepancy and diminished abductor lever
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strength.4 The increase in the incidence of complications has led to an extension of the
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definition of instability to include lateral wall blow out, greater trochanteric fracture and
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osteoporosis.4, 5 The preoperative identification of an unstable pattern is of utmost importance
As per the most commonly used Evans classification, loss of posteromedial 3
The complications following internal fixation include
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in reducing complications.
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Many fixation methods have been described to treat intertrochanteric fractures, of which the
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sliding hip screw and intramedullary devices (IMDs) have stood the test of time.
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Biomechanical and clinical studies show a clear advantage of intramedullary devices over
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sliding hip screws in fixation of unstable fracture patterns.6, 7 The evolution of nailing systems
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began with the first generation gamma nail (Stryker, NJ) in the 1980s and has progressed to
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current fourth generation nails.8, 9
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Clinical scenario:
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A 63-year-old female presented to the emergency room with 10/10 pain in her left hip
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subsequent to fall at home. She had a known diagnosis of osteoporosis for which she was on
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regular calcium, vitamin D supplements and once yearly bisphosphonates. She was non-
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hypertensive, non-smoker and denied any other significant past medical or surgical illnesses. A
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focused clinical examination revealed a left lower extremity in extreme external rotation,
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shortening and generalized hip pain. Diagnostic assessment:
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Plain radiographs anteroposterior view (AP) and cross table lateral view of the left hip,
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traction-internal rotation view and a CT scan with 3D reconstruction were obtained. These
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revealed a loss of posteromedial continuity, sub trochanteric extension, greater trochanteric
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comminution and a fracture line extending up to the femoral neck, making this injury highly
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unstable.(Fig.1A, 1B, 1C, 1D & 1E)
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Treatment:
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Considering the highly unstable nature of the fracture, the authors chose to proceed with long
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intramedullary nailing. Closed reduction was attempted with longitudinal traction followed by
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internal rotation but was unable to correct posterior sag and medialization of the femoral neck.
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Based on this, the decision was made to perform an open reduction. 10 The posterior sag was
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corrected using a posteriorly placed Cobb elevator and the medialization of the femoral neck was
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corrected using a bone hook. The reduction thus obtained was maintained by using a coaxial
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clamp (Fig. 2A). The intraoperative fluoroscopic images revealed an acceptable alignment of the
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femoral head and neck with the shaft without any varus or medialization of femoral neck. An
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incision was made proximal to the tip of the greater trochanter and an entry wire was placed 1
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mm medial to the tip of greater trochanter to avoid damage to abductors and to promote valgus
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reduction.11 The entry wire position was confirmed on AP and true lateral fluoroscopic views
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and advanced into the medullary canal. After advancement of the wire, the position was
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confirmed on AP and true lateral fluoroscopic views. The entry reamer was then used to gain
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access to the medullary canal and the entry wire was removed. The reduction was maintained
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with the reduction forceps throughout the procedure and a ball tipped guide wire was introduced
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into the proximal femoral canal and advanced down the distal femur. Its position was confirmed
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distally on AP and lateral views. The femoral canal was sequentially reamed up to 11 mm and a
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9 mm x 360 mm nail was then placed over the guide wire and seated distally by hand. At this
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point, central-central position of a compression screw guide wire in the femoral head was
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obtained, screw length was determined, a step drill was used over the guide wire and an
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appropriate sized compression screw was placed. Due to concern for possible rotational instability the guide wire for a derotation screw was placed to provide provisional stability during compression screw advancement. The compression screw was rotationally locked with a
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set screw device but was allowed to collapse. A ball-spiked pusher was placed laterally to
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impact the fracture (Fig. 2B). At this point, traction was released and compression was achieved
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which further increased rotational stability. The construct then underwent live fluoroscopic
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evaluation on the lateral view and rotational stability was confirmed. Based on this it was felt
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that the compression screw alone would provide adequate rotational stability and a derotation
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screw was not required. Finally, a single distal interlock screw was placed. The intraoperative
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images after the placement of the nail showed excellent neck shaft alignment, minimal fracture
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gap and no significant medialization of femur neck (Fig. 3A, 3B).
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Follow- up and outcomes:
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Postoperatively the patient was made weight bearing as tolerated. Radiographs obtained at 6
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weeks showed further impaction at the fracture site as anticipated. The patient was encouraged to
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continue to mobilize and began outpatient physical therapy stressing aerobic conditioning, gait
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training and balance exercises as the fracture showed excellent evidence of healing and well
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positioned hardware. At one year post op, there was minimal limb length discrepancy without
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any obvious deformity and radiographs showed overall excellent alignment with a well healed
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fracture (Fig. 4A, 4B).
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Discussion:
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Intertrochanteric fractures are considered unstable when any of the following features are
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present: posteromedial discontinuity, sub trochanteric extension, reverse oblique pattern,
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greater trochanter comminution and lateral wall insufficiency. In addition, osteoporosis leads to
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further instability.1, 2, 4, 5 Intertrochanteric fractures occur in metaphyseal regions, so healing is
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rarely a major problem, but late complication including malunion, shortening of the limb, and
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external rotation deformity can all significantly affect post-surgical ambulation.4
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In this patient, the initial plain radiographs revealed a peritrochanteric fracture but the specifics
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of the injury pattern were difficult to assess (Fig.1A, 1B). The addition of a traction view and
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CT scan with 3D reconstruction were of great value in evaluating this injury (Fig. 1C, 1D). CT
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scan is not advisable in each case, but we recommend only if there is a complex fracture where specifics of injury pattern cannot be defined even on a traction view. Ideal preoperative
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planning begins with classification and, as per the OTA classification, this case belongs to the
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unstable intertrochanteric 31-A3.3 group.12 To address the complexity and instability in this
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injury, a long cephalomedullary nail was chosen. A major key to success in this case was the
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intraoperative reduction of the fracture as earlier described, and utilization of the dynamic
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property of the implant which led to solid union. In this case further collapse at the fracture site
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could be seen at 6 weeks, as was anticipated, and complete healing was evident at the end of
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four months (Fig. 4A, 4B).
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Historically, displacement osteotomies were considered as standard treatment for unstable IT
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fractures, however later studies showed no advantage in comparison to anatomical fixation. 13,
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screw was the implant of choice, but this is associated with significant soft tissue stripping and
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only a 17% increase in the fixation strength.15 The greater trochanter constitutes the lever arm
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of the abductor mechanism, so near anatomical fixation is necessary for normal hip function. In
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this case, even though the greater trochanter appeared to be comminuted, it was felt that the
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abductor mechanism was intact. If components of the greater trochanter are widely displaced,
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we would advise open reduction and suture fixation of fragments to whatever implant is
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chosen.
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The cost effective analysis, biomechanical studies and clinical outcomes suggests IMDs are
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better devices for unstable intertrochanteric fractures.16 The earlier generation nails were
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associated with multiple problems including shaft fracture at the end of nail, screw cut out and
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femoral neck fracture after hardware removal.8 The newer generation nails are associated with
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significantly fewer complications; however, some issues such as femoral neck fracture after
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implant removal continue to exist.
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earlier mobilization and less limb shortening, both of which may enhance the patient’s general
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well-being. 17
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In conclusion, preoperative identification of the unstable fracture pattern with proper
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radiological investigations, selection of the most suitable implant based on fracture pattern,
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achieving and maintaining reduction during nail placement and early postoperative
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The advantage of an intramedullary device also includes
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To restore the medial buttress, extra screws or circlage wire would be necessary if a sliding
mobilization will maximizes the patient’s recovery in an unstable intertrochanteric fracture.
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LEGENDS
FIGURE 1. Anteroposterior (A), lateral (B), traction internal rotation(C) radiographic images
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and CT scan with 3D reconstruction (D & E) of left hip shows an intertrochanteric fracture femur with the comminution of greater trochanter, subtrochanteric extension and a separate anteromedial and posteromedial fragment. FIGURE 2. Note the correction of medialization of the femoral neck after the placement of a bone hook and the reduction was held with a coaxial clamp (A). The ball spiked pusher was
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placed laterally to impact the fracture (B). FIGURE 3. Anteroposterior (A) and lateral (B) fluoroscopic images after the placement of nail shows an acceptable alignment, minimal fracture gap and insignificant medialization. FIGURE 4. 1 year postop radiographic images of anteroposterior (A), and lateral view (B) showing excellent alignment and well healed fracture.
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