Comparison of Sliding Hip Screw to Intra Medullary Nailing in the Treatment of Intertrochanteric Hip Fracture

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Published work in this field to date has not demonstrated a clear advantage of nailing over hip screw in intertrochanteric proximal femoral fractures. The current lierature focus on outcome questionnaires, pain scores and basic functional tests alone does not delineate the functional benefits clearl...

Published work in this field to date has not demonstrated a clear advantage of nailing over hip screw in intertrochanteric proximal femoral fractures. The current lierature focus on outcome questionnaires, pain scores and basic functional tests alone does not delineate the functional benefits clearly enough. A key factor in whether a person, post hip fracture, returns to independent living is gait speed. The cost implications on the healthcare provider of having 30% of this ever increasing group losing their independence and requiring admission to a care facility post hip fracture is a growing problem. Shortening of the abductor lever arm is a particular concern with the SHS, and the resultant biomechanical alterations impairs gait, including decreased cadence and increased double support time on the injured side. The difference in cost between a nail and a SHS is a driver to prevent routine use of nailing in this population unless a clear benefit is demonstrated. Fracture union is not a problem for the most part and, as such, the focus must be on achieving better functional outcome, less morbidity and less mortality in this group. The key question to answer is whether a IM Nail (TFNA) results in a greater functional benefit in A1/A2 intertrochanteric fractures compared with the SHS.

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