Background: The treatment of subtrochanteric fracture nonunion is challenging. Although revision with either an intramedullary or extramedullary device had been advocated with acceptable results, complications that require secondary procedures still arise. The use of an intramedullary device with augmentation plate fixation is a well-known approach for femoral or tibial diaphyseal nonunion. However, this approach has not previously been reported for subtrochanteric fracture nonunion.
Materials and methods: A series of 21 cases of subtrochanteric fracture nonunion treated with an intramedullary device in combination with augmentation side plating were collected and retrospectively reviewed after an average of 18 months of followup. Fourteen patients with a prior well-fixed intramedullary device were treated with side plating and bone grafting. Seven patients underwent revision nailing in addition to side plating and bone grafting.
Results: All fractures united well without major complication. The average time to union was 7.1 months.
Conclusion: The use of an intramedullary device with augmentation plate fixation is a reliable and decisive procedure for treating subtrochanteric fracture nonunion that produces satisfactory results with a low complication rate.
Keywords: Intramedullary nail; nonunion; side plating; subtrochanteric fracture.