Treatment of subtrochanteric fractures with a high-angle compression hip screw.

In a series of 25 subtrochanteric fractures transfixed with high-angle compression hip screws, there were no mechanical failures, delayed unions, or nonunions. Osseous union occurred in a mean time of 3.6 months. Malunion occurred in two instances, at least one of which was the result of technical error at the time of reduction. Rapid mobilization of patients with subtrochanteric fractures is an attainable goal. Early partial weight-bearing should be possible. Although no one internal fixation appliance may be optimal for all fractures in the subtrochanteric region, the high-angle compression hip screw is efficient for the fixation of a wide variety of fracture patterns that otherwise would have been difficult to manage.