A subtrochanteric resection was performed in 12 human corpse femora. In an experimental study stabilisation was achieved with a compound double plate osteosynthesis (condylar and medial intramedullar plate). 18 femora served as control. The loading capacity after double plate compound osteosynthesis is similar to that of normal femora. Due to the relatively rigid osteosynthesis device the plastic deformation was reduced significantly after compound osteosynthesis. The clinical evaluation comprises 26 fractures of the subtrochanteric region (out of a total of 208 pathological fractures). In 5 cases we performed a double plate compound osteosynthesis. In all patients a good or very good functional result was observed. Ten patients were treated by simple compound osteosynthesis.