Less displacement of bone fragments generally means a better outcome with conservative treatments, including the use of crutches and stretching exercises. Prognosis for isolated trochanteric fractures depends on the level of displacement of the bone fragments and whether a tumor is present. Surgeons often use wires under tension to help realign the bone fragments. When the bone fragments are displaced more than 1 cm, surgery is usually performed to help realign the bone fragments and encourage healing. As symptoms subside, patients can begin to use crutches and perform stretches to help regain hip function. Nonoperative management consists of bed rest, initially.
Greater trochanter fractures are usually treated without surgery.
The gluteus medius and minimus help move the hip by attaching to the greater trochanter. It usually occurs in elderly patients due to direct trauma to the outside of the hip or indirectly due to powerful contraction of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles. An intertrochanteric fracture can occur in conjunction with a greater trochanter fracture.Īn isolated greater trochanter fracture is rare. An intertrochanteric fracture is one in which the fracture line is through the intertrochanteric line of the femur. Greater Trochanter Fractures CausesĪ greater trochanter fracture most commonly occurs as part of an intertrochanteric fracture pattern. An orthopedic surgeon and cancer specialist work together to oversee treatment of a bone tumor. If a tumor is present, the bone and tumor may need to be treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. With an avulsion fracture, the bone fragment still has the tendon piece attached to it. An avulsion fracture describes a fracture that occurs when a piece of bone is detached due to the forces transferred through the tendon from a muscle contraction. If the fracture is a simple avulsion fracture due to forceful contraction of the iliopsoas, surgery can help realign the bone fragments.
INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURE HOW TO
Isolated fractures of the lesser trochanter are rare and there is no consensus on how to best treat them.