Treatment of Femoral Trochanteric Fractures by Internal Fixator: Gamma Nail versus Proximal Femoral Nail.:Gamma Nail versus Proximal Femoral Nail

Between January 1997 and June 2002, 50 cases of femoral trochanteric fractures were treated with a proximal femoral nail (PFN), and 50 cases with a Gamma nail. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these fixation devices. There were no significant differences in the mean age, sex, fracture types according to Evans classification and the pre-injury walking ability between the two groups. We clinically and radiographically evaluated the two groups. More than 70 percent of the patients regained walking ability post operatively. Local complications included: three fractures the around the tip of the nail in the Gamma group and one in the PFN group, and five cases of Coxa vara deformity in the Gamma group. However, there was no incidence of cut-out in either group. These devices provide satisfactory results in the treatment of such fractures. However, we conclude that the PFN is a more useful device than the Gamma nail because femoral neck screw positioning is critical.