Age is Not the Most Important Factor in the Prognosis of Femoral Neck Fracture: An Analysis of Long-Term Clinical Follow-Up.

Objective: The prognosis of femoral neck fractures is affected by factors including age and type of fracture. This study aimed to explore the associations among postsurgical outcomes of internal fixation for femoral neck fracture (healing rate, necrosis rate, and joint function score) and age and type of fracture. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 297 cases of femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation between February 2008 and October 2018. The postoperative femoral neck nonunion rate (a measure of healing) and femoral head necrosis rate were determined by x-ray and computed tomography. The Harris hip score (a measure of joint function and pain) was calculated. The effects of age and fracture type on these factors were analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in the rate of femoral head necrosis and postoperative joint function scores among the different age groups. There was a significant difference in the postoperative rate of femoral head necrosis by Garden (P = .001) and Pauwels (P = .01) fracture types. No significant differences were noted for the Harris hip score for fractures characterized by the Pauwels classification (P = .09). However, the Harris hip scores differed significantly among groups for fractures categorized by the Garden classification (P = .001). Conclusions: Fracture type but not age is closely related to femoral head necrosis and Harris hip score after internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.

Outcomes of Femoral Neck Fractures Treated with Cannulated Internal Fixation in Elderly Patients: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of cannulated internal fixation in patients who sustain femoral neck fracture (FNF) and risk factors influencing the outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from 73 elderly patients aged ≥60 years old, hospitalized for FNF and treated with cannulated internal fixation between August 2008 and July 2016. The inclusion criteria were: (i) patients aged ≥60 years; (ii) patients with recent femoral neck fracture, with times of injury ranging from 12-72 h; and (iii) patients who underwent Garden II-IV closed reduction and internal fixation. Patients were classified based on the Garden fracture type and Pauwels angle. Clinical data and radiographs before and after the surgery were collected. Subsequently, surgery was performed with the patient in supine position, under general or lumbar epidural anesthesia. Closed reduction was performed until satisfactory fracture reduction quality was achieved. The weight of all included patients were <75 kg, and thus, minimal internal fixation was performed. The ischemic necrosis of the femoral head was diagnosed by considering the symptoms, signs, and radiological findings. Harris hip scores were used to evaluate postoperative recovery of hip function. Furthermore, relationships between Garden fracture type and necrosis rate of the femoral head, Pauwels angle and necrosis rate of the femoral head, Garden fracture type and Harris hip score, and age and Harris hip score were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was 1 ± 0.17 h and blood loss for all the patients was approximately 15 mL. The included patients were followed up for 13-128 months, with an average follow-up of 61 months. Among the included 73 patients, 65 (89.0%) exhibited satisfactory union, seven (9.6%) had femoral head necrosis, and one (1.4%) had nonunion. For seven patients with femoral head necrosis, there were two, two, and three patients classified as Garden IV, Garden III, and Garden II, respectively, and two and five patients classified as Pauwels II and Pauwels III, respectively. Among the seven cases, four underwent hip replacement. Garden fracture type was not significantly associated with femoral head necrosis (χ2 = 0.44, P > 0.05) or Harris score (χ2 = 1.43, P > 0.05). Patients with Pauwels I (0%) and II (4.3%) fractures exhibited a significantly lower necrosis rate than those with Pauwels III fractures (41.7%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cannulated internal fixation was more suitable for older Chinese patients with Pauwels I/II fractures than those with Pauwels III fractures.