Walking ability after internal fixation of trochanteric hip fractures with Ender nails or sliding screw plate. A comparative study of gait.

The influence of several clinical and radiographic parameters on the functional outcome of 92 patients with trochanteric hip fractures treated at random with either Ender nails or a sliding screw plate (SSP) was prospectively investigated. Apart from other clinical variables such as pain, the use of walking aids, and walking distance, the walking ability of patients was assessed by gait analysis performed on an electronic walkway. The parameters investigated were the maximal vertical force (MVF) and single-limb support phase (SLS). Independent of the type of fixation, no differences were observed between stable and unstable fractures in any of the parameters analyzed six months after surgery. In fractures treated with Ender nails, the use of walking aids and MVF were influenced by a satisfactory fracture reduction. Walking distance was the sole factor correlated with the status of fracture healing. In fractures treated with SSP, the pain was the only clinical variable significantly influenced by the outcome of fracture healing. In trochanteric fractures treated with Ender nails, the quality of fracture reduction was the most valuable predictor of patients' recovery of walking ability.