Complications relating to accuracy of reduction of intertrochanteric fractures treated with a compressive hip screw

Abstract

Intertrochanteric fracture is the most frequent type of fracture in the proximal femur and the compressive hip screw is one of the most popular methods of treatment. The reduction criteria for this type of fracture are ill-defined. The purpose of this study was to validate 3 reduction criteria: displacement, alignment in the anteroposterior and in the lateral plane. We reviewed a cohort of 430 intertrochanteric fractures treated with a compression hip screw. The type of fracture, quality of reduction and technical complications were noted. We observed a relationship between accuracy of reduction and the incidence of complications, even among fractures of the same severity. A displacement bigger than 4mm and failure to accomplish correct alignment (a neck-shaft angle over 125deg; and less than 20° angulation on the lateral view) was considered a poor reduction and was associated with more complications.