Good short-term outcome of arthroplasty with Wagner SL implants for unstable intertrochanteric osteoporotic fractures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of a consecutive series of Wagner SL arthroplasties in patients with unstable intertrochanteric osteoporotic fractures. Forty-seven consecutive arthroplasties for unstable intertrochanteric fractures using Wagner SL hip stems were studied. All patients had bone mineral density less than -2.5 SD. At average follow-up of 2.7 years, mean Harris Hip Scores were 89.4 (range, 65-100) and 87.7 (range, 57-100) for total hip arthroplasties and hemiarthroplasties, respectively. Twenty-one patients (53.8%) had excellent Harris Hip Scores (>90, 14 [35.9%]). Evidence of clinical and radiologic healing was first noted at a mean follow-up of 3.7 months (3-5 months). Wagner SL hip arthroplasties for unstable intertrochanteric osteoporotic fractures have favourable short-term clinical and radiological outcomes.