Subtrochanteric fracture: fixation using the AO tibial nail.

We describe an alternative fixation for the pure uncomminuted subtrochanteric fracture by using the AO tibial nail. There were no intraoperative complications in 24 fractures with this method. The fractures healed within 4 months postoperatively in 18 non-pathological fractures that could be followed up. There were minor complications, including 10 degrees external malrotation in one case and varus angulation after nail breakage in another. The nails were removed in seven healed fractures without problems. Two pathological fractures which were stabilized by the AO tibial nail, combined with the use of bone cement to fill the bone defect, were able to have early postoperative ambulation without any problems with the fixing device.