Trochanteric fractures treated by the McLaughlin nail and plate.

In this study 624 trochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures have been assessed retrospectively with regard to stability of the fracture, reduction, internal fixation, healing and weight bearing. It is seen that stable fractures pose no serious problems. In the group of unstable fractures, varus displacement and perforation by the nail of the head of the femur occurred because of lack of stability of the McLaughlin apparatus. Results of a device with a fixed angle and a sliding screw nail are compared.