Treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur. A comparison of the Richards screw-plate with the Jewett nail-plate.

One hundred and seven patients with intertrochanteric fractures of the femur treated with a Richards screw-plate were compared retrospectively with 103 patients treated with a Jewett nail-plate. The mortality and morbidity were similar in the two groups. In patients with comparable fractures, those treated with a Richards device mobilised more quickly and left hospital sooner, and more of them returned to their homes. Failures of stabilisation, both clinically and radiographically, were fewer in this group. The reliability of fixation with a correctly positioned Richards screw-plate could justify the omission of outpatient follow-up in all but a small group of patients with severe unstable fractures or grossly defective bone stock. The higher cost of a Richards implant and the slightly longer operative procedure were outweighed by savings in occupancy of acute and long-stay hospital beds.