Proximal femoral nail
Proximal femoral nail has been studied in 5 papers since 2021: 4 observational studies in people, 1 review. The newest paper, Oct 17, 2025: “Comparative Effectiveness of the Proximal Femoral Nail and Dynamic Hip Screw Fixation in Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”.
5 papers study it4 findingsUpdated
None of its findings points the other way.
- 1 lab in 1 country
- Humans4
What did studies of Proximal femoral nail find?
4Studies of Proximal femoral nail measured 4 outcomes; the most studied are mortality (1 study), total complications (1) and intraoperative blood loss (1).
Mortality
no changein humans1
1 study
Mortality
no changein humans1
Proximal femoral nail has no effect on mortality in humans.
“no significant differences were observed between groups regarding implant failure rates, mortality, or long-term functional outcomes, as measured by the Harris Hip Score”
Reviewin patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures
Cureus
Total complications
downin humans1RR 0.46
1 study
Total complications
downin humans1RR 0.46
Proximal femoral nail decreases total complications in humans (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.31-0.68).
“PFN was associated with significantly lower total complication rates (risk ratio (RR): 0.46, 95% CI: 0.31-0.68) and reduced infection risk”
Reviewin patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures
Cureus
Intraoperative blood loss
downin humans1
1 study
Intraoperative blood loss
downin humans1
Proximal femoral nail decreases intraoperative blood loss in humans (MD -115.01 mL, 95% CI -132.05 to -97.98).
“intraoperative blood loss was substantially lower (MD: -115.01 mL, 95% CI: -132.05 to -97.98)”
Reviewin patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures
Cureus
Operative time
downin humans1
1 study
Operative time
downin humans1
Proximal femoral nail decreases operative time in humans (MD -12.30 min, 95% CI -17.33 to -7.28).
“Operative time was significantly shorter with PFN compared to DHS (mean difference (MD): -12.30 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI): -17.33 to -7.28)”
Reviewin patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures
Cureus