[Medical Q&A] Is it the “last fracture in life”?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Shao Zengwu, Chief Physician and Professor of Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly is known as the "last fracture in life".

Intertrochanteric fracture refers to a proximal femur fracture from the base of the femoral neck to above the level of the lesser trochanter. In partially reversed intertrochanteric fractures, the fracture line may involve the subtrochanteric area. It is common in elderly people with osteoporosis and also seen in young patients with high-energy injuries. Common symptoms of intertrochanteric fractures are pain, obvious flexion and external rotation deformity of the affected limb, often accompanied by shortening deformity of the affected limb, impaired movement of the affected hip joint, local tenderness, and percussion pain.

Intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly should be treated surgically as early as possible, which is an important principle for preventing and treating related complications and improving patient prognosis. The construction of comprehensive diagnosis and treatment centers for elderly hip fractures, multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment of elderly hip fractures during perioperative period, and the "green channel" for elderly hip fractures are expected to continuously improve the treatment effect of such fractures.