Unstable AO/OTA type 31-A1.2 intertrochanteric femur fracture: An unusual case report

AO/OTA type 31-A1.2 intertrochanteric femoral fractures generally are considered stable intertrochanteric fractures. We report a case of an unstable AO/OTA type 31-A1.2 intertrochanteric femoral fracture. Primary internal fixation was performed with a long cephalomedullary nail taking instability into account. Postoperative X-rays showed an acceptable reduction with a slight fracture gap in extension on the lateral trochanteric side. However, additional salvage surgery was required because the long cephalomedullary nail broke as a result of the instability caused by non-union and varus deformity of the proximal femur. More attention should be directed to strategies of primary internal fixation including choice of fixation instrumentation in terms of mechanical stability because this type of fracture can be remarkably unstable despite radiographic diagnosis of a usually stable AO/OTA classification type 31-A1.2 fracture.