Authors
Kumar VKa, Sharafudeen Ya
a Department of Orthopaedics, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Kerala, India
Abstract
Background: The goal of operative treatment in intertrochanteric fractures is a strong and stable fixation of the fracture fragments. Failure of a dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation leads to decreased mobility of the patient, and frequently to decrease in general health. A dynamic hip screw fixed with a fixed angle locking screws would reduce the risk of DHS failure. The objective of the study was to assess the fracture union and functional outcome of intertrochanteric fractures treated with locking DHS.
Materials and Methods: A prospective case series study of 26 patients underwent dynamic hip screw fixation after 12 months of follow up, to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages associated with the locking DHS and to evaluate the major postoperative complications associated with the treatment. The functional outcome was assessed using Salvati –Wilson scoring system.
Results: The functional outcome was excellent in 45.83% and good in 33.33% of the patients after one year of follow up. In 66.67% of patients, fracture was found to be radiologically united at the 3rd month follow up. 38.46 % of patients developed complications due to technical failures.
Conclusion: Locking dynamic hip screw can be considered an effective method of treating trochanteric fractures in terms of functional outcome.
Keywords: Trochanteric Fracture, Dhs Fixation, Locking Plates, Salvati Wilson Scoring