A combination of osteosynthesis in proximal femur fracture and contralateral femoral neck local osteo-enhancement procedure (LOEP) in severe osteoporotic bone loss

Proximal femur fractures are among the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide in the elderly female population. Research efforts are currently focused on the development of a procedure that has immediate and long-term effectiveness, although pharmacological therapies are already capable of improving bone density and reducing the risk of fracture. A local bone enhancement procedure (LOEP) has been developed to facilitate bone augmentation. The procedure requires the preparation of an area of osteoporotic bone into which a triphasic, resorbable, calcium-based material is injected. Following the procedure, both the bone mineral density of the proximal femur and the bone resistance to compression and distraction forces acting on the femoral neck, which can cause fracture, are significantly improved. Ten women suffering from severe osteoporosis and intertrochanteric fracture underwent preliminary investigations after application of a local bone-strengthening procedure involving the use of AGN1 and nailing of the contralateral proximal femur. KEY WORDS: Proximal femur fracture, osteoporosis, local osteo-enhancement procedure (LOEP), proximal femoral nail (PFN).