Objective To summarize the latest research progress of bone cement type femoral head replacement in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients. Methods The literature on the application of bone cement type femoral head replacement for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients both domestically and internationally was reviewed, and the findings in aspects of selection of prosthesis types, proximal femoral reconstruction methods, postoperative complications, and rehabilitation were summarized and analyzed. Results The bone cement type femoral head replacement has shown significant effectiveness in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients. The surgery provides immediate stability, allowing patients to quickly bear weight and regain walking function, thereby reducing the incidences of postoperative complications and mortality. However, due to the generally poor physical condition and low surgical tolerance of elderly patients, the risk of postoperative complications significantly increases, which has a significant impact on patients’ postoperative recovery. Common complications include deep vein thrombosis, bone cement implantation syndrome, joint dislocation, prosthesis loosening, and periprosthetic fractures. Therefore, despite the apparent short-term effectiveness of the surgery, it is crucial to emphasize the prevention and management of postoperative complications to improve the long-term prognosis of elderly patients. Conclusion For unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients, when choosing bone cement type femoral head replacement, it is necessary to strictly adhere to surgical indications, reduce the occurrence of complications, and improve the patients’ quality of life through refined preoperative evaluation, intraoperative operation, and effective postoperative management.