A dual telescoping lag screw nailing system for intertrochanteric fractures: retrospective analysis of clinical and radiologic outcomes

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this system is associated with a reduced rate of failure and complications in patients treated for proximal femoral fractures with intramedullary nailing. 742 Patients with AO-OTA 31-A intertrochanteric fractures were enrolled at a single Institution. Functional evaluation was assessed through the Functional Independence Measure (FIM™) instrument and Parker’s New Mobility Score (NMS). Radiological follow-up included the degree of the reduction according to the Baumgartner criteria, the Tip-Apex Distance, and the shortening of the telescoping screws and its lateral protrusion. Pre-operative mean FIM™ and NMS were 4.3 (range 1–9) and 98.7 (range 22–126), respectively. At the 12-month follow-up the average FIM™ and NMS were 95.3 (range 22–126) and 3.7 (range 1–9), respectively. Mean shortening of the lag screws was 4.3 mm (range 1–8) and mean lateral protrusion was 1.7 mm (range 0–3). 3 Cases (0.70