What is a closed intertrochanteric fracture?
An intertrochanteric fracture is a type of hip fracture or broken hip. The hip is made up of two bones—the femur, or “thigh bone,” and the pelvis, or “socket.” The hip is an important ball-in-socket joint that allows you to move your leg when walking.
What is an intertrochanteric femur fracture?
Intertrochanteric fractures are breaks of the femur between the greater and the lesser trochanters. They are extracapsular fractures that is, outside the hip joint’s fibrous capsule. The epidemiology of intertrochanteric fractures is similar to that of femoral neck fractures.
What is the treatment of an intertrochanteric hip fracture?
Intertrochanteric fractures are treated surgically with either a sliding compression hip screw and side plate or an intramedullary nail. The compression hip screw is fixed to the outer side of the bone with bone screws. A large secondary screw (lag screw) is placed through the plate into the femoral head and neck.
How do you handle an intertrochanteric fracture?
The most common treatment for intertrochanteric fractures is surgery. In most cases, surgery is recommended because this fracture can take a long time to heal on its own. One of the most common surgical treatments for this type of hip fracture is an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).
How do you get a closed fracture?
Closed fractures can occur from a variety of different problems. Most often, fractures occur is a result of an injury such as a fall, motor vehicle collision, or sports injury. However, fractures can also occur as a result of overuse.
Is an intertrochanteric fracture an emergency?
Operative management of these fractures is considered urgent, not emergent. This allows the many comorbidities with which patients often present to be optimized preoperatively, to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Can a femoral neck fracture heal on its own?
For example, if the ends of the broken bone are impacted, or were pushed together due to extreme force from an accident of fall, the bone can heal naturally. If this is the case, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication, bed rest, and physical therapy for a few weeks to allow healing.
How long does intertrochanteric fracture surgery take?
The surgeon makes a surgical cut on the side of your thigh. The metal plate or nail is attached with a few screws. This surgery takes 2 to 4 hours.