Subtrochanteric femoral fracture

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall from a hammock. Obvious deformity of the left thigh. (See below)

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Pelvis and left hip radiographs revealed a greatly displaced subtrochanteric femoral fracture.

Incidental atherosclerosis is noted bilaterally.

Photo

Photographs of the presentation.

A shortening and external rotation of the left lower extremity is observed, which is the common presentation of proximal femoral fractures.

An obvious deformity of the left thigh is also noted.

Case Discussion

Proximal femoral fractures are commonly classified regarding their location into 4 types: femoral head, femoral neck, intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric.

The present case represents a subtrochanteric fracture, usually associated with osteoporosis or chronic bisphosphonate therapy.

Femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures are more common.

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