New method of preoperative immobilization for the proximal femoral fractures

Acta Ortop Bras. 2013 Jan;21(1):40-2. doi: 10.1590/S1413-78522013000100008.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a new method of provisional preoperative imobilization for patientes with transtrochanteric femoral fractures.

Methods: Over a three-month period, 33 patients were treated at the Orthopaedic Trauma Service for transtrochanteric femoral fracture. We selected 22 patients and they were divided into groups with and without the use of the developed imobilization. The patients were evaluated according to the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (VAS) during the preoperative and postoperative period in order to verify the analgesic consume and clinical complications.

Results: The group that used the imobilization had lower pain, reduced analgesic consume and had less clinical complications.

Conclusion: The new imobilization therefore presents good results, however not statistical significant. Level of Evidence II, Prospective Comparative Study.

Keywords: Femoral fractures; Hip fractures; Immobilization.