Proximal Femoral Non-unions with Implant In Situ Treated by Revision Osteosynthesis: A Real Challenge

INTRODUCTION: Proximal femur fractures non-union with implant failure creates a nightmare for both the surgeon and the patient. Meticulous surgical planning and the correct choice of the implant are essential to achieve success in the revision surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with ununited proximal femur fractures including both intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures who had a failed previous implant were included in the study. Femoral neck nonunions and infected nonunions were excluded from the study. One patient was lost to follow-up. RESULTS: One patient was lost to follow-up and out of the remaining ten patients, six were males and four were females. Mean age was 62.2 years (35–74). Union was achieved with mean union time of 10.1 months (9–14). Mean surgical time was 105 min (90–125) and mean blood loss during surgery was 600 ml (350–850). Mean time of revision surgery after the primary index surgery was 20 months (15–30). Mean duration of follow-up was 12.9 months (12-16). CONCLUSION: Revision osteosynthesis in proximal femoral nonunions with implant failure is a real test of surgeons expertise because of the many factors going against like osteoporosis, distorted proximal femur anatomy due to the already present implant resulting in poor bone stock availability. Judicious and appropriate selection of implants is an impeccable factor for fracture union and positive outcome.