Subtrochanteric fractures – Seinsheimer classification

Classification

Type I:  Undisplaced fractures with less than 2 mm displacement of the fractured fragments

Type II: Two-part fractures

• IIA: Two-part transverse fractures
• IIB: Two-part spiral fractures with lesser trochanter attached to the proximal fragment
• IIC: Two-part spiral fractures with lesser trochanter attached to the distal fragment

Type III: Three-part fractures

• IIIA: Three-part spiral fractures in which the lesser trochanter is part of the third fragment, which has an inferior spike of varying length
• IIIB: Three-part spiral fractures of the proximal third of the femur, in which the third part is a butterfly fragment

Type IV: Comminuted fractures with four or more fragments

Type V: Subtrochanteric-intertrochanteric fractures, including any subtrochanteric fracture with extension through the greater trochanter.

Explanation

Classification based on the number of fragments and location and pattern of the fracture

Figures

Figure 1. Seinsheimer classification for subtrochanteric fractures

Reference(s)

Provide the citation for the landmark article and recent review articles describing the classification

Attachments:

Seinsheimer’s classification.png (image/png)