A Clinical Study on Trochanteric Fractures of the Femur

Kim, Ik Dong; Ihin, Joo Choul; Lee, Soo Young; Kwon, Kwaeng Woo; Ahn, Chi Hyo

Abstract

A clinical study was done for 103 cases of the trochanteric fractures which were admitted and treated at the department of orthopedic surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital during the period of 9 yeras from January 1972 to December 1980. Following results were obtained: 1. Of the 103 cases of the trochanteric fractures, 73 cases were in man, with peak age at 6th decade and 21 out of 30 in woman were over 50 years of age. 2. Causes of the fracture were ear accidents in 67 cases and "slip or fall down" in 36 cases. 3. According to the classification of the trochanteric fractures by Boyd and Griffin, most common type was type 11 in 40 cases and followed by type 111 in 27, type 1 in 24 and type 1V in 12. 4. Upon the treatment, 53 out of 103 cases were conservatively treated with Thomas splint and skeletal tractior. Those cases were mostly combined injury on other organs. Open reduction and internal fixation was done on 50 cases with Jewett nail in 48, Zickel nail in 1 and Judet plate with screw in 1. Most of unstable fractures were reduced by Dimon-Hughston method and fixed with Jewett nail. 3. Union of thef ractures ranged from 10 to 16 weeks, average 13 weeks, by open reduction with internal fixation and from 12 to 24 weeks, average 17. 5 weeks, by conservative treatment. 6. Complications were encountered 31% of those cases with conservative treatment and 16% of those cases with operative treatment. Major complicationss after the conservative treatment were decubitus ulcer in 14 cases (27%), coxa vara deformity in 8(16%) and urinary tract infections in 5(10%).