Intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in younger patients

Abstract

Most femoral neck fractures in younger patients have a different mechanism, treatment, and prognosis from those in elderly patients. To evaluate the results of internal fixation of femoral neck fractures in patients aged between 20 and 60 years, and to determine reasons for failure. Thirty three patients aged between 20 and 60 years who sustained a femoral neck fracture between 1995 and 2000 were reviewed. This represents 5.6% of the total femoral neck fractures admitted to the unit during this period. In 26 patients (78.8%) the fracture resulted from higher energy trauma. Of 23 patients with displaced fractures four patients (17.4%) developed avascular necrosis and one patient (4.3%) developed non-union. Factors influencing outcome were mechanism of injury, pre-operative fracture displacement, adequacy of fracture reduction and delay in surgery. Our study emphasises the importance of timely surgery and adequate reduction of displaced femoral neck fractures in younger patients.