Subtrochanteric femur fractures: review of the complete pathologic spectrum with emphasis on distinguishing imaging features

Abstract

Subtrochanteric femur fractures result from a variety of mechanisms of injury and underlying pathologies. Radiologists can play a pivotal role by differentiating the etiology of a subtrochanteric femur fracture, which assists the orthopedic surgeon in choosing the correct method of treatment. To provide this valuable service, one must be familiar with the characteristic radiologic features of the numerous causative etiologies, ranging from Paget disease to underlying bone lesions to iatrogenic fractures.