Trochanteric femur fracture

Clinical Features

• Greater Trochanter
  • Via direct trauma (older pts) or avulsion injury (adolescents)
  • Hip pain that increases with abduction; tenderness over greater trochanter
• Lesser Trochanter
  • Via avulsion due to forceful contraction of iliopsoas (adolescents) or pathologic bone
  • Pts are usually ambulatory; c/o pain in groin worse w/ flexion

Differential Diagnosis

Femur Fracture Types

Anterior view.

Posterior view.

Proximal

• Intracapsular
  • Femoral head fracture
  • Femoral neck fracture
• Extracapsular
  • Intertrochanteric femur fracture
  • Trochanteric femur fracture

Shaft

• Mid-shaft femur fracture (all subtrochanteric)

Diagnosis

Location of femur fractures

• Consider AP pelvis in addition to AP/lateral views to compare contralateral side
• Consider MRI if strong clinical suspicion but negative x-ray

Management

• Treatment for both types:
  • Non-weight bearing with ortho f/u in 1-2wk

Disposition

• Outpatient