How to treat intertrochanteric fracture of the femur

  Middle-aged and elderly patients fall and can not walk, many patients lie in bed at home thinking they can lie well, but in fact, many patients are fractures, and the best time for treatment is delayed when they come to the hospital. Middle-aged and elderly people fall and are alert to intertrochanteric fracture of the femur!  Overview】 Intertrochanteric fracture is a common injury in the elderly, and the average age of patients is 5 to 6 years higher than that of patients with femoral neck fracture. Due to the rich blood flow in the trochanter, the fracture rarely fails to heal, but hip inversion is very likely to occur. Long-term bed rest in elderly patients causes more complications.  Diagnosis】 History of trauma, pain and limited movement of the affected limb, fracture site and displacement can be determined by Х radiograph.  Treatment measures] Most of the patients are elderly. First of all, we should pay attention to the general condition and prevent life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, decubitus ulcer and urinary tract infection due to bedridden after fracture. The purpose of fracture treatment is to prevent the occurrence of hip inversion deformity. Specific treatment methods should be adopted according to the type of fracture, displacement, patient’s age and general condition.  1.Traction therapy is suitable for all types of intertrochanteric fractures. It is especially suitable for stable fractures without displacement and those with serious internal diseases that are not suitable for surgery. The advantage of traction is that it can control the external rotation of the affected limb. For type I and II stable fractures, traction is used for 8 weeks, then the joint can be moved and the limb can be put on the ground with crutches, but the weight-bearing of the affected limb can only be done after the fracture has healed solidly for 12 weeks to prevent the occurrence of hip inversion.  The requirements for traction of unstable fractures are: a. Traction weight, about 1/7 of body weight; b. Once the hip inversion deformity is corrected, the traction weight of 1/7 to 1/10 of body weight should be maintained to prevent the recurrence of hip inversion deformity; c. Traction should be maintained for a sufficient period of time, generally more than 8 to 12 weeks, and traction should be removed after the initial solid fracture healing.  2.Closed transdistal multi-staple internal fixation The tibial tuberosity traction is performed first for repositioning, a whole body system examination is performed, and surgery is performed on the fracture table within 3 to 7 d after injury. Four 3 and 5 mm diameter Searle pins were used to fix the femoral neck fracture with multiple Searle pins.  3.Nail-plate internal fixation This method is suitable for all types of fractures in adults, and the commonly used internal fixation are DHS (power hip screw) and Charnley sliding compression nail, etc.  4.Ender nail fixation The nail is cut from 2cm above the medial femoral condyle, and the Ender pin is observed on the X-ray TV fluoroscopy screen, passing through the fracture to about 0.5cm below the articular surface of the femoral head. Several nail ends are spread out in a fan or harpoon pattern to fix the proximal bone mass. Postoperatively, skin traction or anti-external rotation shoes are applied.  5.Gamma nail fixation In the early 1990s, some countries used Gamma nail, that is, a locking intramedullary pin, diagonally through a thick screw through the neck of the femoral head, because the main nail through the medullary cavity, from biomechanical analysis, the force line is close to the center of the femoral head, therefore, Gamma nail femoral medial can withstand greater stress, can achieve the purpose of early weight bearing.  6.PFNA PFNA is the most advanced international fixation technique. This technique carried out by Wu Wei and other orthopedic departments of Oriental Hospital has less bleeding, fast recovery and secure fixation.