title: Subtrochanteric fractures of the femur--an analysis of the results of operative and non-operative management.
abstract: In this retrospective study, 38 subtrochanteric fractures of the femur, managed by operative and non-operative methods were analysed and the results compared. Excluding three pathological fractures, 12 fractures were internally fixed and 23 were treated in traction. In 83.3 per cent of fractures treated operatively and 82.6 per cent treated non-operatively, excellent or good results were obtained. Poor results in traction were due to associated head injury and failure to comply with the position required to maintain alignment. Poor results in the operative group were in the Seinsheimer Type 3A with poor medial buttress. We conclude that both operative and non-operative management give acceptable results in subtrochanteric fractures of the femur but the latter is indicated in Seinsheimer Type 3A fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Hospital, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Bajaj
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chacko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014143:Traction