Surgical fixation, early weight bearing and bony union remain a challange in the treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures, especially if the fractures are comminuted or unstable.

We have experienced 18 cases of intertrochanteric femur fracture that were treated using Asian Gamma nails(Gamma AP) in Kyungpook National University Hospital in period from Feb. 1993 to Oct. 1993.

Early full weight bearing was encouraged and this seemed to be beneficial for old patients. All fractures were healed securely and many patients(15/18) could be painless ambulatory regardless of fracture configuration(9 fractures classified as unstable). Major complications included screw cut-out(2 cases), lateral cortical fracture(1 cases) and delayed union(1 case).

In this early experience, the Gamma nail appears to be useful internal fixator for intertrochanteric femur fractures and it allows early ambulation regardless of the fracture configuration with excellent clinical results.