Internal fixation of femoral neck fractures in the elderly / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the outcome of the old patients who were treated for femoral neck fractures in our hospital during 2000-2007. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate outcomes of the 139 old patients who had received internal fixation for femoral neck fractures in our department during 2000-2007. The mechanism of injury, duration between injury and hospitalization, severity of fracture, anamnesis, time of hospital stay, anaesthesia, operation, postoperative complications, fracture healing, in-cidence of avascular necrosis of femoral head, failure of fixation, and functional restoration of the patients were documented. Results Fracture healing was found in 126 cases (90.6%). Time to healing ranged from 2 to 20 months (average, 6.2 months). Failure of fixation and nonunion were found in 13 cases (9.4%). Avascular necrosis of femoral head occurred in 9 cases (6.5% ). Of them, 81 patients(58.3%) restored their gait as normal as before whereas 50 patients(36.0%) walked with crutches. Conclusions Internal fix-ation can be suggested for old patients with femoral neck fracture, considering a high rate of fracture healing and a low rate of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Early operation is recommended if the general con-dition of the patient has been well controlled.