Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly

PurposeTo compare clinical outcomes between Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA) and InterTAN intramedullary nail system in treating unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures (IFF) in elderly patients.MethodsA retrospective study of 381 patients with IFF at Tianjin Third Central Hospital co...

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Main Authors: Fenghui Feng, Xiaodong Li, Jigang Li, Zhiqing Chen, Shuzhang Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1568584/full
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author Fenghui Feng
Xiaodong Li
Jigang Li
Zhiqing Chen
Shuzhang Guo
author_facet Fenghui Feng
Xiaodong Li
Jigang Li
Zhiqing Chen
Shuzhang Guo
author_sort Fenghui Feng
collection DOAJ
description PurposeTo compare clinical outcomes between Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA) and InterTAN intramedullary nail system in treating unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures (IFF) in elderly patients.MethodsA retrospective study of 381 patients with IFF at Tianjin Third Central Hospital compared PFNA (n = 189) and InterTAN (n = 192) surgical treatments. Patient demographics, surgical parameters, postoperative outcomes, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, and Harris hip scores were analyzed. Follow-up lasted 6–9 months through outpatient visits and telephone calls.ResultsBoth groups showed comparable baseline characteristics including age, gender, affected side, injury mechanism, comorbidities, and Tronzo-Evans classification (P > 0.05). The PFNA group demonstrated clinically meaningful shorter operation times and reduced blood loss compared to InterTAN (P < 0.05). The InterTAN group achieved earlier postoperative weight-bearing (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in hospitalization duration or intraoperative blood transfusion rates (P > 0.05). Pain scores were lower in the InterTAN group during the early postoperative period (P < 0.05). Harris hip scores were superior in the InterTAN group during the first week and month post-surgery (P < 0.05), but showed no significant differences at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). Postoperative complication rates were similar between groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionWhile both techniques demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes, PFNA may offer advantages in surgical efficiency and blood loss reduction, whereas InterTAN showed improved early postoperative outcomes regarding weight-bearing and initial pain management. The choice between techniques should consider patient-specific factors and surgical priorities. Further prospective studies are warranted to establish stronger clinical guidance.
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spelling doaj-art-e57625f60bfc4c528af0fa816b3ab8cb2025-08-20T03:30:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-07-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15685841568584Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderlyFenghui FengXiaodong LiJigang LiZhiqing ChenShuzhang GuoPurposeTo compare clinical outcomes between Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA) and InterTAN intramedullary nail system in treating unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures (IFF) in elderly patients.MethodsA retrospective study of 381 patients with IFF at Tianjin Third Central Hospital compared PFNA (n = 189) and InterTAN (n = 192) surgical treatments. Patient demographics, surgical parameters, postoperative outcomes, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, and Harris hip scores were analyzed. Follow-up lasted 6–9 months through outpatient visits and telephone calls.ResultsBoth groups showed comparable baseline characteristics including age, gender, affected side, injury mechanism, comorbidities, and Tronzo-Evans classification (P > 0.05). The PFNA group demonstrated clinically meaningful shorter operation times and reduced blood loss compared to InterTAN (P < 0.05). The InterTAN group achieved earlier postoperative weight-bearing (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in hospitalization duration or intraoperative blood transfusion rates (P > 0.05). Pain scores were lower in the InterTAN group during the early postoperative period (P < 0.05). Harris hip scores were superior in the InterTAN group during the first week and month post-surgery (P < 0.05), but showed no significant differences at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). Postoperative complication rates were similar between groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionWhile both techniques demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes, PFNA may offer advantages in surgical efficiency and blood loss reduction, whereas InterTAN showed improved early postoperative outcomes regarding weight-bearing and initial pain management. The choice between techniques should consider patient-specific factors and surgical priorities. Further prospective studies are warranted to establish stronger clinical guidance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1568584/fullintertrochanteric femoral fracturePFNAintertanaginginstability
spellingShingle Fenghui Feng
Xiaodong Li
Jigang Li
Zhiqing Chen
Shuzhang Guo
Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly
Frontiers in Medicine
intertrochanteric femoral fracture
PFNA
intertan
aging
instability
title Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly
title_full Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly
title_fullStr Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly
title_short Comparison of the efficacy of PFNA and InterTAN intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly
title_sort comparison of the efficacy of pfna and intertan intramedullary nail in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly
topic intertrochanteric femoral fracture
PFNA
intertan
aging
instability
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1568584/full
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