Review of Proximal Nail Antirotation (PFNA) and PFNA-2 – Our Local Experience

Abstract

The proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) device was recently introduced as an option for intramedullary management of pertrochanteric hip fractures. We report here local results with this relatively new implant. Sixty-two patients with pertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures underwent intramedullary fixation with PFNA devices in our centre during the 14 month period from September 2008 to October 2009. Data for this report were retrieved from clinical case records and operative notes. We recorded the age, gender, length of stay and operative time, preoperative ambulatory status and days required to regain mobility. Fractures were classified using the AO classification (A1, A2 and A3). Complications were also identified.There were 15 male and 47 female patients and the mean age was 74.3 years. The mean surgical duration was 76.1min and the average length of hospitalisation was 14.5 days. Five cases were noted to have femoral shaft fracture and no occurrences of screw cutout. We found that 83.9% of the patients were able to regain preoperative mobility status by 6 months following surgery. We conclude that the PFNA is an effective implant for stabilisation of proximal hip fractures and that the local complication rate is similar to reports from other centres.

Keywords

• Hip Fracture
• Intramedullary
• Morbidity