Purpose.: To evaluate the effectiveness of internal fixation versus cone hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients. Methods.: The choice of treatment was based on the year of admission: between 2001 and 2003, 42 patients (mean age, 73 years) underwent cone hemiarthroplasty using a cementless press fit through a posterior approach, whereas between 1999 and 2001, 45 patients (mean age, 75 years) underwent internal fixation using a dynamic hip screw through a lateral approach in a supine position. Patients with stable fractures with intact lesser trochanter, immobility before injury, age younger than 60 years, or with associated injuries (such as another fracture) were excluded. Patients were encouraged active rehabilitation in bed. Bony union was determined by clinical and radiological examinations. Patients were followed up at 6-week intervals in the first sixth months and every 3 months thereafter until bony union was achieved. In the final follow-up, 32 cone hemiarthroplasty patients and 38 internal fixation patients were available for evaluation according to Merle d'Aubigne and Postel criteria. Results.: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of sex, age, fracture type, Singh index, follow-up period, hospital stay, operating time, and receipt of blood transfusions. Clinical results of both groups were similar. Hemiarthroplasty patients were allowed full weight bearing significantly earlier than the internal fixation patients. Conclusion.: Cone hemiarthroplasty can be an alternative treatment for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients so as to achieve earlier mobilisation.

Mechanical failures after fixation with proximal femoral nail and risk factors Şemmi Koyuncu,1 Taşkın Altay,2 Cemil Kayalı,2 Fırat Ozan,3 Kamil Yamak2 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Bayburt State Hospital, Bayburt, 2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, İzmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, 3Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey Background: This study aims at assessing the clinical results, radiographic findings, and associated complications after osteosynthesis of trochanteric hip fractures with proximal femoral nail (PFN).Methods: A total of 152 patients with hip fractures who underwent osteosynthesis with PFN were included. The hip fracture types in the patients included in the study were classified according to the American Orthopedic/Orthopedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA). AO/OTA A1, A2, and A3 type fractures were found in 24 (15.8%), 107 (70.4%), and 21 (13.8%) patients, respectively. The Baumgaertner scale was used to assess the degree of postoperative reduction. The Salvati–Wilson hip function (SWS) scoring system was used to evaluate functional results. After a follow-up period, clinical and radiographic results were evaluated and complications were assessed. The relationship between the complications and SWS score, age, sex, fracture type, reduction quality, and time from the fracture to surgery was evaluated.Results: Eighty-five (55.9%) female patients and 67 (44.1%) male patients were enrolled in the study. Seventy-nine (51.9%) patients had left hip fractures, and 73 (48.1%) had right hip fractures. The mean age was 76 (range 21–93) years, and the mean follow-up duration was 23.6 (range 7–49) months. Postoperatively, one patient (0.6%) had a poor reduction, 16 patients (10.5%) had an acceptable reduction, and 135 patients (88.9%) had a good reduction according to the above criteria. The SWS scores were excellent, good, moderate, and poor in 91 (59.8%), 45 (29.6%), 15 (9.8%), and one (0.6%) patients, respectively. Late postoperative complications were seen in 27 patients (17.7%). A total of 14 patients (9.2%) underwent a revision procedure for mechanical complications.Conclusion: The study results suggest that the quality of fracture reduction is an important factor that affects the revision rate and SWS score in patients with mechanical complications after osteosynthesis with PFN for trochanteric fractures. Keywords: trochanteric hip fracture, proximal femoral nail, fracture reduction, complications, risk factors, intramedullary nail

Background. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of Platelet Rich Plasma in preventing tunnel enlargement in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a hamstring autograft Material and methods. Forty-four patients who underwent transtibial reconstructive surgery with a hamstring tendon autograft between March 2014 and July 2015 were included in this study. This study involved two groups. Group A consisted of 18 patients who underwent PRPadministration into the femoral and tibial tunnel. Group B was a control group that included 26 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery with a hamstring autograft without PRP. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the IKDC score, Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale and a KT-1000 arthrometer device. The diameter of the tibial and femoral tunnels of the operated knees was measured on the first day and at three months postoperatively using CT. Measurements carried out for tomography standardization of the patients were evaluated on coronal, sagittal and axial images from 64-slice MSCT scans. Results. On comparison of radiological data between both groups, there was less tunnel enlargement in PRP-administered group for the femoral tunnel, but the result was not statistically significant. No difference was seen between clinical examination results and the grading scales used. Conclusions. 1. The radiological findings of our study indicated that while there was less tunnel enlargement in the PRP group, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. 2. Similarly, clinical exa­mination results and scoring scales used did not de­monstrate any intergroup difference. 3. As a result, we donot recommend routine use of PRP for the prevention of tunnel enlargement after ACL reconstruction.