title: Evaluation of the long intra-medullary hip screw.
abstract: There have been many publications about second generation femoral nails, such as the Russell-Taylor nail (Smith & Nephew Richards, Memphis, TN, USA) and Long Gamma Nail (Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ, USA), but little work has been published on the Long Intra-medullary Hip Screw (IMHS, Smith & Nephew). We set out to evaluate the effectiveness of the Long IMHS as a device for the fixation of proximal femoral fractures. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients who had a Long IMHS inserted for a sub-trochanteric or proximal femoral fracture. Of the 30 patients, three had died and six were lost to follow up, leaving 21, whom we reviewed. Of the 21 patients reviewed the mean age was 67 years and the mean follow up was 31 weeks. Mean time to union was 15.65 weeks, with one non-union. There were three superficial wound infections. In one patient there was loosening of the distal locking screws, requiring removal and there was one case of intra-operative femoral shaft fracture. We conclude that, the Long IMHS is an effective device for the treatment of sub-trochanteric and proximal femoral fractures with a high rate of union achieved and a low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF, Scotland, UK. ryan_hamilton3@excite.com
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001863:Bone Screws; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome