Rural Experience With The Austofix F2 Femoral Nail For Peri-Trochanteric Femur Fractures.

Abstract

Rural health care provision is repeatedly substandard in comparison to that offered in urban settings, with many factors involved. Budgetary constraints, geographical limitations and professional isolation render best practice health care problematic. Sustainable, cost-effective health service provision is always the aim, but must constantly be tempered against evidence-based best practice. Our review aimed to highlight local experience with the Austofix F2 femoral nail for treatment of peri-trochanteric femur fractures, and to assess this relative to evidence-based best practice. The development of Z-deformity in 29% of patients requiring revision of implants in 26% has led to a change of implant usage at our institution, and raises questions of the utility of dual sliding screw systems for proximal femoral fracture management.