Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37942221›Full record

ArticleJournal of orthopaedics2023

Varus mal-alignment and residual displacement are associated with delayed union in subtrochanteric femur fracture- A retrospective observational study.

Gurvinder Singh Kainth, Nimesh Nebhani, Basil Shah, Gunasekaran Kumar, Birender Kapoor

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of orthopaedics, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. What is the rate and degree of deformity in femoral diaphyseal nonunion? A CT-based retrospective cohort study.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Observational
  5. Well-reduced bisphosphonate-associated atypical femur fractures have low rates of nonunion and delayed union.European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Gurvinder Singh KainthDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Nimesh NebhaniDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Basil ShahDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Gunasekaran KumarDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Birender KapoorDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Subtrochanteric femoral (ST) fractures are associated with high rates of delayed and non-union. The aim of this study was to analyse the risk factors associated with delayed/non-union in ST fractures. Methods: All patients with surgical stabilisation of ST fractures during the period 2014 to 2019 were identified in an electronic patient records database in two trauma centres. Exclusion criteria were incomplete clinical/radiological data, pathological fractures and loss to follow-up. Radiographs at about 6 months post-surgery were assessed for fracture union using Radiographic Union Score for Hip (RUSH). Fracture was deemed to be un-united if RUSH score was <18. CCD (caput-collum-diaphyseal) angle of operated and uninjured hip, residual displacement at fracture site and 3-point relationship was calculated on operative or immediate post-operative images in both groups. Student's t-test was used to compare CCD angle difference between operated and uninjured sides and the residual fracture displacement between delayed union and united fractures group. Chi-square test was used for 3-point relationship. Observational analysis was performed on implant failure rates including distal screw breakage. Results: During the study period, there were total of 278 patients. 193 with inadequate data and 22 with pathological fractures were excluded. Advanced age and female sex had significantly higher rate of delayed union (p value of 0.043 and 0.003 respectively). Delayed union group (26) had a mean RUSH score of 14.1 and united group (37) had a mean RUSH score of 26.3 (p = 0.019). The mean CCD angle difference between operated and uninjured sides was -5.77° for delayed union and -2.33° for united fractures (p = 0.03). Residual displacement at fracture site showed statistically significant difference between delayed union and united fractures on anteroposterior and lateral views (p = 0.001 each). There was no statistical difference in 3-point relationship of implant in two groups (p = 0.775). 10 revision procedures were performed for implant failures. Distal screw failure (3 cases) was not a precursor for non-union in this study. Conclusion: This study confirms varus alignment of hip and residual fracture displacement after fracture fixation of subtrochanteric fracture are surgeon associated significant risk factors for delayed union at 6 months. Fracture contact and alignment are key to reduce failures in these group of fractures. Among patient factors, advancing age and female sex predisposes to higher rate of delayed union.

Indexed as

Delayed unionFracture displacementSubtrochanteric femoral fractureVarus alignment

Identifiers

PMID37942221
PMCPMC10630759

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.