[Type III fractures: treatment]

We reviewed 47 type 3 femoral fractures (below the femoral stem according to the Johansson classification). There were 36 women and 11 men. The average age was 73,4 years, at the time of the fracture.These patients had had a total arthroplasty in 32 cases, a hemi arthroplasty in 10 cases and a bipolar arthroplasty in 5 cases.Of these 47 patients:- 6 underwent an orthopedic treatment (2 trans-tibial traction, and 4 plaster of Paris immobilisations) for a period averaging 60 days. Two (33%) developed pseudoarthritis and 2 (33%) developed bed-sores and decubitus complications.- The remaining, 41 patients underwent a surgical procedure:- 34 osteosynthesis using plates or screw plates brought about : - 4 fractures under the plate; - 4 pseudo-arthrosis; - 4 infections; - 4 plate breakages; - 1 femoral stem loose-ring;- 6 femoral stems were replaced with longer stems going through and extending past the fractures, without any material breakage or local complications (one patient died however, following other complications).- One patient had an Olerud procedure and unfortunately died after 3 months.At last follow up : - 4 patients had died; - consolidation occured in 41 cases over an average period of 130 days (45 to 590); - fractures treated by using osteosynthesis plates, showed a 50% incidence of complication; - on the other hand, when using stem replacement, no mechanical or local complications occured.