163 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were randomized to receive surgical treatment using either (1) a sliding hip screw and fixed side plate or (2) a sliding hip screw and a Medoff sliding side plate. The purpose of this study was to compare rates of re-operation and hip function scores following treatment with these two types of hardware. Results after 6 months indicated that the use of a sliding hip screw with a Medoff sliding side plate resulted in a similar re-operation rate, hip function recovery scores, length of hospital stay, haemoglobin drop, number of transfusions, transfusion units, leg-length discrepancy, loss in range of motion, and the incidence of complications. Surgical time was significantly greater in the Medoff sliding side plate group.