Clinical outcomes of the new oblique locking compression hip screw

Purpose : To evaluate the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of the newly developed oblique locking hip screw (OLHS) compared with those of the commonly used cephalomedullary nail (CMN) in trochanteric femoral fracture treatment in older patients. Methods : This was single-center retrospective study of patients with trochanteric fractures. Overall, 129 patients were analyzed: 64 treated with OLHS and 65 with CMN. Patient demographic data, fracture classification, surgical parameters (e.g., operating time and intraoperative blood loss), and clinical outcomes were assessed. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using radiographic findings and statistical analyses, including Fisher’s exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results : The study included 57 patients in both the OLHS and CMN groups with 3 months of radiographic follow-up data. OLHS was more commonly used for stable AO A1 fractures, whereas CMN was preferred for unstable A2 fractures. The OLHS group showed slightly better outcomes in terms of reduced stability, with less frequent postoperative telescoping than the CMN group (4.8±4.3 mm for OLHS vs. 3.0±4.7 mm for CMN, p < 0.05). No significant differences in mortality, bone union rates, or adverse outcomes were observed between the two groups. However, two patients in the CMN group exhibited nonunion and one required conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Conclusion : OLHS provides satisfactory clinical outcomes comparable to those of CMN for trochanteric fractures, with potential advantages in terms of stability and lack of observable negative outcomes. OLHS may serve as a viable option for treating various types of trochanteric fractures, including unstable fractures.