Early experience with the gamma interlocking nail for peritrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur

Ronald W. Lindsey, Peter Teal, Robert A. Probe, Dan Rhoads, Stephen Davenport, Keith Schauder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Surgical fixation, early weight-bearing, and bony union remain a challenge in the treatment of peritrochanteric femur fractures, especially if the fractures are comminuted or unstable. Preliminary experience with the Gamma locking nail, a short intramedullary nail connected to a sliding compression screw augmented with distal locking screws, is presented. In a consecutive series of 29 patients, all fractures were adequately reduced and immediate weight-bearing was begun regardless of fracture configuration (13/27 fractures classified as unstable). Twenty-seven patients were reviewed at 6 months. At follow-up, all patients continued to be ambulatory and all fractures healed. Major complications included screw migration in the femoral head (two patients), difficulty in securely placing the distal screws (eight patients), and a femoral shaft fracture through the distal locking screws following a fall. The technical problems inherent in the device and its instrumentation are discussed. In this early experience, the Gamma nail appears to allow for early patient ambulation regardless of the fracture configuration with excellent clinical results.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1649-1658
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
Volume31
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1991
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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