A comparative study of screw and helical proximal femoral nails for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures

The goal of this study was to compare treatment outcomes of screw proximal femoral nails and helical proximal femoral nails and to investigate the effectiveness of helical proximal femoral nails for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. Forty patients with intertrochanteric fractures were treated at our institution between January 2005 and January 2007, with a minimum follow-up of 1.5 years. Seventeen patients were treated with screw proximal femoral nails (mean patient age, 67 years; age range, 45-89 years; men:women ratio, 3:14), and 23 were treated with helical proximal femoral nails (mean patient age, 74 years; age range, 64-91 years; men:women ratio, 6:17). We evaluated mean operation time, amount of bleeding, time to ambulation, average union period, changes in neck shaft angle, and complications, and performed radiographic reviews, telephone interviews, and direct contact interviews at an outpatient clinic. We evaluated postoperative function and mobility using social function scores and mobility scores. Helical proximal femoral nails produced better results in terms of social function scores, mobility scores, and complication rates with statistical significance. No significant differences were found between the 2 nails in terms of mean operation time, amount of bleeding, average union period, time to ambulation, or neck shaft angle changes. Screw proximal femoral nails and helical proximal femoral nails are suitable implants for intertrochanteric fractures, but helical proximal femoral nails are better in terms of functional aspects and complication rates.