Challenges in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures in the Nonelderly Adult

Abstract

Femoral neck fractures in young patients are a relatively rare event and are often the consequence of a high-energy injury. Concomitant injuries are present more than 50% of the time. Previous reports have found the rate of nonunion and avascular necrosis in this population to be as high as 35% and 45%, respectively. The salvage options, which tend to yield more acceptable results in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, yield disproportionately poor results in young, active patients who are often productive members of the labor force. Many reports exist in the literature evaluating the various treatment options of these injuries. This review will address the epidemiology and diagnosis of the injury. In addition, the various treatment options in the acute presentation, as well as options available for treating the sequelae of femoral neck fractures in the young, will be discussed. Although longer life expectancy and the sustained activity level of many people previously considered elderly has blurred the definition of "young," this review will use the available literature dealing with skeletally mature patients up to the age of 60 years.