To investigate the effect of artificial joint replacement with large trochanter on hip joint function in elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures during treatment.

A total of 120 elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the femur who were treated in the Department of Joint Surgery at Suzhou High tech Zone People’s Hospital from February 2021 to March 2023 were randomly divided into two groups (envelope method). The control group received proximal femoral anti-rotation intramedullary nail treatment, while the study group received artificial joint replacement treatment. The measurement data were analyzed using independent sample t test, and the count data were analyzed using chi square test. The postoperative indicators, incidence of complications, and Harris hip joint function score excellence rate within one year after surgery were compared between the two groups.

The ambulant time and load bearing walking time of the study group were shorter than the control group (t=18.667, 21.627, both P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was more than that of the control group (t=20.904, P<0.05), and the operation time was longer than that of the control group (t=18.307, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the postoperative complication incidence of the study group was lower (χ²=5.745, P<0.05). The excellent and good rates of Harris score at six and 12 months after surgery in the study group were higher than the rates in the control group (χ²=4.943, 4.574, both P<0.05).

Compared with the treatment of proximal femoral anti rotation intramedullary nail, artificial joint replacement surgery has shorter recovery time which can effectively reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications, so that the recovery of hip joint function is better, but it increases the operation time and intraoperative blood loss. Therefore, this treatment plan might be an option for treating unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.