Angle-Adjustable Dynamic Hip Screw Plate for Unstable Trochanteric Fractures in Middle-Aged Patients: Mid-Term Outcomes and Return to Sport.

BACKGROUND

There are conflicting results in the literature regarding the superiority of proximal femoral nails over dynamic hip screw (DHS) plates. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate mid-term post-injury patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and return to sport (RTS) in middle-aged patients treated with the DHS plate for unstable trochanteric fractures.

METHODS

Fifty-seven middle-aged patients (35-64 years) treated for proximal femoral fractures of type 31-A2 and 31-A3 according to the AO/OTA classification with the DMS Dynamic Martin Screw (KLS Martin Group, Jacksonville, FL, USA) between January 2017 and December 2019 were enrolled.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients were included in this retrospective study, and the average age was 54.1 years (SD 8.4). The average follow-up duration at final follow-up was 60.5 months (SD 8.6). Post-operative complications included only one case of aseptic loosening of the implant, with a complication rate of 2%. There were no infections, peri-implant fractures, or other complications reported. Two out of the forty-nine patients (4.1%) required treatment with a total hip arthroplasty due to post-traumatic arthritis. The Harris Hip Score at final follow-up was 77.1 (SD 20.1), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index was 21.6 (SD 13.7). The overall rate of RTS was 57.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with DHS for unstable trochanteric fractures is a safe option in middle-aged patients, ensuring a good functional recovery.