Abstract

Unstable intertrochanteric fractures are treated surgically rather than being managed conservatively. It is essential to operate on these patients as fast as possible, and, at the same time, it is pertinent to ensure the operated patients do not go into malunion or implant failure. A study was conducted to check whether beta-tricalcium phosphate added in the void spaces of unstable intertrochanteric fractures could lead to better functional results.
Methods: 40 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were admitted between October, 2020 and October, 2021, and follow-ups were conducted for one year. Out of 40 patients, half of the patients who were operated on were augmented with beta-tricalcium phosphate in the void spaces, which was considered as Group A, and the remainder were operated on with osteosynthesis alone, which was considered as Group B. The parameters used to measure the functional results were the Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC) score and the Harris Hip score (HHS). The patients were followed up radiologically with X-rays.
Results: 38 patients followed up; 19 patients were augmented with beta-tricalcium phosphate, and the remainder i.e., 19, were in the control group. The patients augmented with beta‑tricalcium phosphate showed a better FAC score which was significant at six months post‑surgery. It was observed that the HHS and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were better in augmented cases than in cases not augmented with beta-tricalcium phosphate, but were insignificant.
Conclusion: The group of patients augmented with beta-tricalcium phosphate showed better functional results six months post-surgery. This further leads to decreased morbidity and mortality post-surgery.