To evaluate the availability of cable fixation of the lesser trochanter in the treatment of unstable intertrochanter fractures using a sliding compressive hip screw (CHS) on the clinical and radiological results related to osteoporosis.

Fifty-four cases of Kyle-Gustilo type III unstable intertrochanter fractures between January 1999 to January 2005 were classified into 2 groups: groups 1(30 cases CHS) and 2(24 cases additional cable). The sliding distance of the lag screw, bony union, weight bearing time, and the loss of fixations related to osteoporosis in the two groups were compared retrospectively after a follow up of at least 1 year.

The average sliding distances of the lag screw in groups 1 and 2 was 15.27 and 12.13 mm (p=0.0453), respectively. The time to bony union in groups 1 and 2 was 14.63 and 13.71 weeks (p=0.4623), respectively. The average weight bearing time in groups 1 and 2 was 3.03 and 2.83 weeks (p=0.1697), respectively. Early weight bearing was allowed in patients in group 2 with a Singh index greater than grade IV (p=0.0291), and a loss of fixation was encountered 5 cases in each group (p=0.9688), which increased significantly with increasing severity of osteoporosis (p<0.05).

Additional cable fixation of the lesser trochanter for mild osteoporotic patients in unstable intertrochanter fractures is recommended for preventing the excessive sliding of lag screws and for allowing early ambulation. However, this procedure is not effective in patients with severe osteoporotic.