The effect of nail diameter on proximal femoral shortening after internal fixation of pertrochanteric hip fractures with short cephalomedullary nails

Objective: Investigate the effect of distal nail diameter on proximal femoral shortening (PFS) after cephalomedullary nailing of hip fractures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 80 patients aged 50 years and older with pertrochanteric hip fractures treated with a 10 or 11 mm short cephalomedullary nail (CMN) was performed. We measured abductor lever arm shortening, femoral height shortening, and PFS. Results: There was no difference in abductor lever arm shortening (p = 0.09), femoral height shortening (p = 0.86), and PFS (p = 0.34) between the 10 and 11 mm groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that distal nail diameter does not affect PFS. Level of evidence: III.