Compression fixation of subtrochanteric fractures

Compression fixation with a blade plate was used in the treatment of 11 fresh and 9 nonunited subtrochanteric fractures. Fifteen fractures united as fixed. Three settled into varus with eventual union in 2 and a fibrous nonunion with metal failure in one. One fracture became infected and the patient died of metastatic fibrosarcoma and one was lost to accurate long-term follow-up. The average Harris Hip Rating for 18 patients was 84, an average of 24 postoperatively. In each instance, technical errors accounted for suboptimal results. Compression fixation is designed for the subtrochanteric region for either fresh or nonunited fractures.