Characteristics of femoral neck fractures in osteogenesis imperfecta: Series of four-teen consecutive hips in twelve patients

Abstract

IntroductionWhile long bone fractures are commonly seen in individuals with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), femoral neck fractures (FNF) are exceedingly rare. There is a lack of comprehensive data regarding the etiology of FNFs, their characteristics, and the treatment protocols. Our aim was to determine the characteristics of femoral neck fractures in children with OI. Materials and methodsThis study was conducted as retrospective series covering period of January 2011-December 2022. Total of 14 femoral neck fractures in 12 patients were included into final analysis. Age, gender, fracture location, ambulation level, injury mechanism, Sillence type, pre-fracture collo-diaphyseal angle, presence of previous implants and applied treatments were noted. ResultsThe mean age was 9.3 (range: 3–16), 8 out of 12 patients were males. Sillence type 3 OI was most common (50 %) type. Among 12 patients, 2 (16.6 %) were restricted ambulatory while 5 (41.6 %) were non-ambulatory. Seven patients had prior femoral implants. Six fractures were managed non-operatively, while others underwent surgery, with cannulated screws (42.8 %) or plate osteosynthesis (7.1 %). All eight cases (100 %) with minor trauma or unknown origin were Sillence type 3–4, displaying varus deformity. FNFs that occured in mobile patients required higher-energy traumas. ConclusionFemoral neck fractures in OI showed differing trauma mechanisms in ambulatory vs. non-ambulatory patients. Non-surgical treatment may be considered with in patients with high-risk anesthesia concerns, requiring higher level clinical studies.