Single-centre results of a randomised controlled trial comparing the Gamma3 nail and a sliding hip screw to treat AO type 31-A1 and 31-A2 trochanteric fractures.

Purpose: The primary goal of this randomised controlled trial was to investigate whether there are differences in the outcome between the Gamma3 nail and a sliding hip screw (SHS) regarding quality of life 1 year after surgery.

Methods: In a controlled randomised trial, we compared the Gamma3 nail (Stryker) and a SHS (Omega, Stryker) in the treatment of 193 patients with pertrochanteric fractures. The follow-up period was 12 months. The outcomes included the surgical duration, health-related quality of life measured with the EQ-5D Index and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the living situation and use of walking aid before trauma and 52 weeks after surgery; the Parker Mobility Score; the Harris Hip Score; and the revision, complication and mortality rates.

Results: The Gamma3 group had a significantly shorter surgical duration than the SHS group (p < 0.0001). Implant-related complications were significantly lower in the Gamma3 group (p > 0.05). The revision rate was significantly lower in the Gamma3 group based on intention-to-treat (p = 0.0336) as well as as-treated (p = 0.0302) analyses. Otherwise, we did not find significant difference between the two groups regarding the EQ-5D Index and VAS scores, the Parker Mobility Score, the Harris Hip Score, the mortality rate, the use of walking aids and the living situation.

Conclusion: There were no detectable differences between the groups in terms of quality of life and clinical scores 12 months after surgery. The surgical duration and revision rate were superior for the Gamma3 group.