title: The orthopaedic lever: a simple method to reduce unstable posteriorly displaced or angulated proximal femoral fractures.
abstract: The satisfactory management of unstable posteriorly displaced or angulated proximal femoral fractures is an orthopaedic challenge. In these fractures, significant displacement of bony fragments is often associated with comminution and soft-tissue stripping. Unsatisfactory fixation may lead to serious complications such as refracture with failure of the fixation device. Accurate reduction, reconstruction and fixation of these fractures are demanding in both strength and technique of the surgeon. The orthopaedic lever providing means for pre-operative reduction that will maintain the reduced position while fixation is achieved is described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Donnan
mesh_terms: D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D011859:Radiography; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods