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MethodsIn 5 european clinics, 62 patients (79 % female, mean age 85.3 years) suffering from an osteoporotic pertrochanteric fracture (AO 31) were treated with the augmented PFNA ® . The primary objectives were assessment of activities of daily living, pain and mobility. Furthermore, the X-rays were analyzed for the cortical thickness index, changes of the trabecular structure around the cement and the hip joint space. Results The mean follow-up time was 15.3 months. We observed callus healing in all cases. The surgical complication rate was 3.2 % with no complication related to the cement augmentation. A mean volume of 3.8 ml of cement was injected and no complication was reported due to this procedure. 59.9 % reached their prefracture mobility level until follow-up. The mean hip joint space did not change significantly until follow-up and there were no signs of osteonecrosis in the follow-up X-rays. Furthermore, no blade migration was assessed. Conclusion This study makes us believe that the standardized augmentation of the PFNA with a perforated blade is a safe method to treat pertrochanteric femoral fractures. It leads to good functional results and is not associated with cartilage or bone necrosis.

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The importance of osteoporosis in proximal humerus fractures is well recognized. However, the local distribution of bone quality in the humeral head may also have a significant effect because it remains unclear in what quality of bone screws of standard implants purchase. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the failure of proximal humerus locked plating can be predicted by the DensiProbe (ARI, Davos, Switzerland). A 2-part fracture with metaphyseal impaction was simulated in 12 fresh-frozen human cadaveric humeri. Using the DensiProbe, local bone quality was determined in the humeral head in the course of 6 proximal screws of a standard locking plate (Philos; Synthes GmbH, Solothurn, Switzerland). Cyclic mechanical testing with increasing axial loading until failure was performed. Bone mineral density (BMD) significantly correlated with cycles until failure. Head migration significantly increased between 1000 and 2000 loading cycles and significantly correlated with BMD after 3000 cycles. DensiProbe peak torque in all screw positions and their respective mean torque correlated significantly with the BMD values. In 3 positions, the peak torque significantly correlated with cycles to failure; here BMD significantly influenced mechanical stability. The validity of the DensiProbe was proven by the correlation between its peak torque measurements and BMD. The correlation between the peak torque and cycles to failure revealed the potential of the DensiProbe to predict the failure of locked plating in vitro. This method provides information about local bone quality, potentially making it suitable for intraoperative use by allowing the surgeon to take measures to improve stability.