This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) for internal fixation of femur trochanteric fractures.

We operated on 36 femur trochanteric fracture patients with performing PFNA from September, 2006 to November, 2008 and we analyzed the operation time, the blood loss, the union time, the tip apex distance (TAD), the Cleveland index, the sliding distance of the blade and the complications. We also evaluated the clinical results according to the recovery of ambulatory function and the functional recovery score.

The mean operation time was 54 minutes and the mean amount of blood loss amount was 119cc. Thirty two cases progressed to union within 4 months and 4 cases also progressed to union within 6 months without a further operation. The mean TAD was 16mm and the mean sliding distance was 3.8 mm. Clinically, the mean loss of ambulation ability was 1.2 grades and the Jensen functional recovery score was 1.8. There was one case of back out of the blade, but there was no skin problem. There were no significant complications.

The findings from this study indicate that PFNA is a useful and reliable choice for the treatment of trochanteric fracture of the femur.