The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological result in patients who got salvage re-fixation for the failed fixation of pertrochanteric fracture retrospectively.

Between 1992 and 2009, 21 patients who could be followed-up for more than 1 year after salvage re-fixation for the failed fixation of pertrochanteric fracture were enrolled in this study. There were 16 men and 5 women. The mean age was 53 years (19-84 years) at the index surgery and the mean follow-up was 6.4 years. We evaluated the clinical and radiographic results and postoperative complications.

Walking ability and pain were improved in all cases and the mean leg length discrepancy was improved from 2.5 cm (0-10 cm) preoperatively to 1 cm (0-4 cm) at the latest follow-up. Nineteen patients (90.5%) out of 21 patients achieved bony union at the final evaluation and the mean union time was 4 months (3-7 months). There were 2 cases of non-union who had not received bone graft as a complication.

The clinical and radiological results of the salvage re-fixation for the failed fixation of pertrchanteric fracture were satisfactory in our study. Secure component fixation for the mechanical stability and proper bone graft for the improvement of bone biology are mandatory to improve the result.