Proximal femoral nail – an analysis of 100 cases of proximal femoral fractures with an average follow up of 1 year

Numerous variations of intramedullary nails have been devised to achieve a stable fixation and early mobilisation of pertrochanteric fracture, among which is the proximal femoral nail (PFN). We report here the results of a prospective study carried out at our institute on 100 consecutive patients who had suffered a pertrochanteric, intertrochanteric or high subtrochanteric fracture, or a combination of fractures, between December 2002 and December 2005 and were subsequently treated with a PFN. Close to anatomical reduction of the fracture fragments was achieved in 12 patients, while limited open reduction was required in 14 patients. During the follow-up period of 1 year complications occurred in 12 patients. Our results indicate the necessity of a careful surgical technique and modifications that are specific to the individual fracture pattern in order to reduce complications. Osteosynthesis with the PFN offers the advantages of high rotational stability of the head-neck fragment, an unreamed implantation technique and the possibility of static or dynamic distal locking.