Distal interlocking for short trochanteric nails: static, dynamic or no locking? Review of the literature and decision algorithm.

Pertrochanteric hip fractures are among the most common and the use of short cephalomedullary nails as the treatment of choice is increasing.A systematic review regarding distal locking options for short cephalomedullary nails was undertaken using Medline/PubMed®, Embase® and Cochrane Library® in order to evaluate current indications, associated complications and to provide treatment recommendations.The results seem to support the use of distal static locking for unstable fractures, dynamic locking for length stable/rotational unstable fractures and no locking for stable fractures.