Abstract
MRI of the femoral head after medial femoral neck fracture was evaluated in 13 patients (6 males and 7 females). Age at time of surgery ranged from 11 to 82 years (mean 49.7 years). Duration of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 26 months (mean 14.5 months). According to Garden's classification, there was one case in stage I, eight in stage II, two in stage III, and two in stage IV. Internal fixation was done in all but one patient treated by casting. MRI was taken before and after surgery in 6 patients and was taken only after surgery in 7 patients. A hypointense zone of the femoral head was seen in 5 patients (38%) and ranged from 50 to 100% of the weight bearing area. Hypointense zones were not seen within a month following surgery, and did not increase in size after 4 months. Bone union was achieved in all patients. 5 patients with a hypointense zone started weight bearing after 12 months, the others started within 3-6 months. Segmental collapse of the femoral head did not occur in any patients. MRI of the patient with medial femoral neck fracture is useful for detecting early avascular necrosis and to decide when to start postoperative weitht bearing.
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