A comparison of proximal femoral locking plate versus 95-degree angled blade plate in the treatment of reverse intertrochanteric fractures.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to compare the results of the proximal femoral locking plate (PFLP) and the 95°-angled blade plate in the treatment of AO/OTA 31-A3 reverse intertrochanteric fractures with fracture line extending to the greater trochanter. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-four patients with reverse intertrochanteric fracture which fracture line extending to the greater trochanter were retrospectively analyzed. Of those, 20 were treated with PFLP (PFLP group) and 24 were treated with ABP (ABP group). The AO/OTA classification was used for the classification of the fractures. Patients were assessed clinically and radiologically for the union at the fracture site and implant-related complications. Hip functions were evaluated with the Harris hip score. RESULTS The mean time to union was 17 weeks (range 14-28) and 18 weeks (range 16-32) in the PFLP group and ABP group, respectively. Implant failure and/or nonunion was observed in two patients (10%) in the PFLP group and in three patients (12%) in the ABP group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to the Harris hip scores, time to union, need for reoperation due to mechanical problems, and complication rates (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our study results show that these two fixation methods seem to produce similar results in the treatment of reverse intertrochanteric fractures with greater trochanteric comminution. However, we suggest that ABP still remains as a good choice with less expense in such fractures.