Endoprosthetic replacement of unstable, comminuted intertrochanteric fracture of the femur in the elderly, osteoporotic patient.

This paper reports a prospective study of eight cases of unstable, comminuted intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients with associated osteoporosis, operated on between June 1978 and May 1979 using a short-stem Thompson's prosthesis with cement. The posterior approach is employed. The operative technique is described in detail. The amount of blood loss encountered with this technique is not more than that with nail reduction methods. The results have been encouraging in enabling the patients to walk.