Ender Nailing versus Nail-Plate Fixation in the Treatment of Trochanteric Femoral Fractures

The increasing incidence of lateral fractures of the femoral neck, which is related to increased longevity and incidence of osteoporosis, has renewed the need to investigate the problems involved in the treatment of these fractures and their complications. A retrospective study was carried out with the aim of comparing the results of two methods used in the treatment of trochanteric fractures: Ender nailing and Jewett nail-plate fixation. The results showed that outcome and survival are related to the state of health of the patient. A greater failure rate was observed in patients treated with Ender nailing than in patients treated with nail-plate fixation. Complications are mainly due to insufficiency of mechanical synthesis and erroneous surgical techniques. The results of this study confirm the need to focus on the biological aspects of treatment rather than the mechanical aspects of the fracture.