A new device to treat intra-capsular fracture neck of femur non-union

Abstract

In adolescents and young adults, femoral neck fractures often result from high-velocity trauma. These fractures are usually of vertical shear pattern. There is an increased incidence of avascular necrosis and non-union, which is difficult to treat. Non-union of fractured neck of femur in young adults is a serious problem. There is growing evidence that these fractures should be treated with an angle-stable device to improve biomechanics at the fracture site. An ideal implant should prevent varus deformation and retroversion of the fracture in order to prevent failure of the osteosynthesis and thus preventing cut-out of implant and non-union at the fracture site. We report the first use of an Orthofix Gottfried Percutaneous Compression Plate (PC.C.P.) (Orthofix, Guilford, UK) to treat a non-union of an intra-capsular fractured neck of femur. We recommend this, in combination with autologous bone grafting, via a mini hip modification of the Smith–Petersen approach.