Nail Versus Sliding Hip Screw for Trochanteric Hip Fractures

The investigators therefore propose to undertake a further randomised controlled trial comparing the sliding hip screw (SHS) with the Targon PFT intramedullary nail. The aim is to see if the summation of the first trial of 600 participants comparing the sliding hip screw with the Targon PF nails, in conjunction with this study of 400 participants with the updated Targon PFT nail produces results that convincingly demonstrate that this particular design of implant is superior to the sliding hip screw. Because of the financial issues involved a cost benefit comparison for the two procedures is planned at the completion of the study. Primary outcome measures will be regain of walking ability. Secondary outcome measures recorded with include mortality, length of surgery, operative blood loss, blood transfusion, post-operative complications, hospital stay, need for subsequent revision surgery and degree of residual pain.