Abstract
Recently the incidence of intertrochanteric factures of the femur has been increasing progressively due to prolongation of average life span and increased activity. Most of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur occur in elderly patients with osteoporotic bone change and general weakness. The goal of treatment is early mobilization with immediate weight bearing to prevent the complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia or atelectasis, and pressure sore. We have tried to assess the outcome and complications of bipolar hip prostehsis for the femoral intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients. The twenty octogenarian patients received a bipolar hip prosthesis due to femoral intertrochanteric fractures from January 1989 to December 1994 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. The average age of patients was 83.5 years and underlying problems are hypertension, cerebral vascular accident, pulmonary problem, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis. 2. By Tronzo classification, Type III was the most common (80%) type. 3. Complications were peroneal nerve palsy, intraoperative femoral shaft fracture, postoperative stem tip fracture, dislocation and shortening. 4. Postoperative ambulation was possible at 2 weeks after surgery. 5. In elderly unstable osteoporosis patient, bipolar hemiarthroplasty can be recommended for the first treatment of intertrochanteric fracture.