A prospective controlled trial of valgus osteotomy in the fixation of unstable pertrochanteric fractures of the femur.

A total of 62 patients with unstable pertrochanteric fractures of the neck of the femur was subjected to either nail plating with 130 degrees neck-shaft angle or valgus osteotomy using a neck-shaft angle of at least 140 degrees. The patients were assessed in terms of ability to walk and stability of fracture fixation. A clear superiority of valgus osteotomy over the controls was demonstrated in terms of fracture fixation, but the difference in terms of ability to walk was less remarkable.