Late postoperative analysis of the tip-apex distance (TAD) in pertrochanteric fractures: is there an accommodation of the implant within the bone?

Introduction: This study measured the tip-apex distance (TAD) values in the immediate postoperative period and following weight-bearing and fracture impaction in patients undergoing osteosynthesis with dynamic hip screw and cephalomedullary nail.

Objective: To correlate the Baumgaertner index in the immediate postoperative period with values obtained after impaction of the fracture with the accommodation of the cephalic implant in the femoral head.

Patients And Methods: Radiographic TAD measurements were taken with AGFA-VIEW of 82 patients with a mean age of 72 years with pertrochanteric fractures who were operated on and the fracture fixed with DHS- Synthes, TFN-Synthes, or Gamma Nail III-Stryker in the immediate postoperative period, and following weight-bearing and fracture impaction (mean 3-8 weeks after surgery).