Isolated Fractures of the Greater Trochanter Report of 6 Cases

Isolated fractures of the greater trochanter are unusual injuries. Because of their relative rarity and the unsettled controversy regarding their etiology and pathogenesis, several methods of treatment have been advocated. Furthermore, the reports on this particular type of injury are not plentiful and the average textook coverage afforded to this entiry is limited. These fractures are seen as two distinctly different types which occur in different age groups. The first type are epiphyseal separations which are found in the adolescent population, ususlly from seven to seventeen years of age. In this type, the mechanism of injury is muscle contraction that results in avulsion of the entire trochanteric apophysis and it can be displaced up to 6 cm. The second type is a comminuted fracture of the greater trochanter seen in adults. In this type, the mechanism of injury is usually a direct blow to the greater trochanter that results in a comminuted fracture, and only a part of the greater trochanter is generally involved.