Osteoporotic pertrochanteric fractures (fragility fracture)

• Main Author: Sudhir S Babhulkar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
• Series: Journal of Orthopedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation
• Subjects: fragility fracture; osteoporosis; pertrochanteric fractures
• Online Access: http://www.jotr.in/article.asp?issn=0975-7341;year=2014;volume=7;issue=2;spage=108;epage=112;aulast=Babhulkar

The management of osteoporotic pertrochanteric fracture femur is 2-fold. 1. Management and care of acute fractures and 2. simultaneous treatment of underlying disease. There is hardly any role of conservative treatment, however, patients with co-morbid conditions temporary treatment with traction till patient are fit for surgery may be performed. Surgical treatment of pertrochanteric fracture should be undertaken as early as possible. Following principles of "Internal Fixation in Osteoporotic Fractures" must be carried out depending upon the type of fracture. 1. Loadsharing 2. Impaction 3. Widebuttressing 4. Longsplintage 5. Augmentation 6. Elasticfixation 7. Shortening 8. Bonesubstitution-prosthesis. Timely surgery in these patients prevents not only morbidity but mortality also.