To compare the result between the compression hip screw (CHS) and intramedullary (IM) nail for the treatment of AO/OTA A2.2 intertrochanteric fracture.

We retrospectively reviewed 95 cases of AO/OTA A2.2 intertrochanteric fracture, which were treated with CHS or IM nail by one surgeon from March 1994 to December 2009. One group was treated with CHS (Group I, 28 cases) and the other was treated with IM nail (Group II, 67 cases). We evaluated the mean operation time, the amount of bleeding and transfusion, hospital duration, radiological results and the clinical outcome with the mobility score of Parker and Palmer.

Radiologically, the tip-apex distance, change of neck-shaft angle, and union time were not significantly different between both groups (p>0.05). Clinically, the mean operation time, the amount of bleeding and transfusion, hospital duration and the mobility score were not significantly different (p>0.05). The post-operative complications were lag screw slippage over 25 mm (1 case) and loosening of device (1 case) in group I. In group II, there were perforation of the femoral head (1 case), nail breakage (1 case) and deep infection (1 case).

There was no significant differences that are clinical and radiological results in the treatment of AO/OTA A2.2 intertrochanteric fracture, using CHS and IM nail.