The Gamma nail seems to be an alternative to the endomedullar flexible Ender's nail and the sliding screw-plate for trochanteric fractures of the hip. Wehave retrospectively reviewed the first 50 fractures of the proximal femur in the elderly treated in our hands by this technique. There were 45 unstable fractures. At 6 months after surgery, only 68% of the patients discharged from the hospital were assessed. Intrahospitalary mortality reached 18%. Weight-bearing was allowed from theearly postoperative period independently of the type of fracture. No mechanical failures were observed. Fracture repair was achieved in an average period of 10 months.The Gamma nail provides a good stability in unstable fractures of the proximal femur, allowining an early weight-bearing without mechanical failures. The patient's quality of life after fracture is therefore improved by using this method of internal fixation.

The Gamma nail seems to be an alternative to the endomedullar flexible Ender's nail and the sliding screw-plate for trochanteric fractures of the hip. Wehave retrospectively reviewed the first 50 fractures of the proximal femur in the elderly treated in our hands by this technique. There were 45 unstable fractures. At 6 months after surgery, only 68% of the patients discharged from the hospital were assessed. Intrahospitalary mortality reached 18%. Weight-bearing was allowed from theearly postoperative period independently of the type of fracture. No mechanical failures were observed. Fracture repair was achieved in an average period of 10 months.The Gamma nail provides a good stability in unstable fractures of the proximal femur, allowining an early weight-bearing without mechanical failures. The patient's quality of life after fracture is therefore improved by using this method of internal fixation.