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Intertrochanteric fracture of the femur

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall from standing height. Shortening and external rotation of the left lower extremity upon physical examination.

Patient Data

Age: 90 years
Gender: Male

Radiograph revealed an intertrochanteric fracture of the femur.

The shaft is medially displaced with the neck beak impacted into it, both the lesser and the greater trochanters are fractured. This characterizes a Tronzo type III variant fracture.

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 an intertrochanteric fracture, usually associated with osteoporosis.

Femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures are more common.

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