Effect of Preoperative Bisphosphonate Treatment on Fracture Healing after Internal Fixation Treatment of Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: There are concerns that administration of bisphosphonate (BP) can substantially suppress bone turnover, potentially interfering with fracture healing. We investigated the effects of preoperative BP administration before internal fixation of intertrochanteric femoral fractures using fracture healing and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 130 patients who underwent internal fixation for osteoporotic intertrochanteric femoral fractures between March 2012 and July 2016. Patients previously treated with BPs for at least 3 months (BP group; n=29) were compared with the remaining patients (BP-naïve group; n=101). Radiographs were used to assess and compare fracture healing 3 months and 1 year postsurgery. The primary clinical outcome measure assessed was change in Koval score. RESULTS: Fracture union at 3 months after surgery was verified in 72.4% of patients (21/29) in the BP group and 90.1% of patients (91/101) in the BP-naïve group (P=0.027). Fracture union at 1 year postsurgery (BP group, 93.1% [27/29] vs. BP-naïve group, 97.0% [98/101], P=0.310) and change in Koval score (1.1 vs. 1.0, P=0.694) were not significantly different between the groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of BP administration was associated with an increased risk of delayed union at 3 months postsurgery (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of BP was associated with a decreased fracture healing rate 3 months after internal fixation, compared with BP-naïve patients. Therefore, patients previously treated with a BP should be carefully allowed to wean off walking aids and transition to full weight-bearing in the early postoperative period.

The Role of Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Graft in the Dynamic Hip Screw Fixation of Unstable Intertrochanter Fracture

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to introduce our method of stabilizing unstable intertrochanteric fractures by using the dynamic hip screw (DHS) with a beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) graft and to compare the outcomes of this procedure with those of the conventional DHS without β-TCP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery by using DHS between March 2002 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed for analysis of the outcomes. The inclusion criteria were: 1) age of 60 years and older; 2) low-energy fracture resulting from a fall from no greater than the standing height; 3) multifragmentary pertrochanteric fracture (AO classification 31-A2.2, 2.3); and 4) follow-up of over 3 months. We compared 29 patients (29 hips) who underwent surgery, using DHS without β-TCP, with 29 age-sex matched patients (29 hips) who underwent surgery using DHS with grafted β-TCP granules to empty the trochanter area after reaming. We investigated the fracture union rate, union time, and length of lag screw sliding. RESULTS: Bone union was achieved in all cases. The mean union time was 7.0 weeks in the β-TCP group and 8 .8 weeks in the non-β-TCP group. The length of lag screw sliding was 3.6 mm in the β-TCP group and 5 .5 mm in the non-β-TCP group. There were no implant failure cases in both groups. CONCLUSION: The β-TCP graft for reinforcement DHS acquired satisfactory clinical outcomes for treating unstable intertrochanteric fractures.