FAILED PINNING OF UN-DISPLACED FEMORAL NECK FRACTURES IN THE ELDERLY.

Abstract

Femoral neck fractures in the elderly has a devastating impact on health and resources. Past trends suggest pinning un-displaced fractures in the more active elderly patients and resorting to arthroplasty in those less active. In our study the failure rate for un-displaced fractures (18.4%) was greater than that quoted in the literature and greater than the failure rate of fractures treated with arthroplasty (7.4%). Failures consisted of AVN (5), nonunion/malunion (1) and loss of fixation (1). This data suggests that arthroplasty would decrease the failure rate in our study group.

To evaluate the outcome of ORIF for un-displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

ORIF of femoral neck fractures in the elderly at our institution resulted in higher failure rates than quoted in the literature. A large multi-center randomized controlled trial is warranted to establish clear guidelines in the management of these injuries.

In our study the failure rate for undisplaced fractures was greater than fractures treated with arthroplasty. The clinical relevance of this data suggests that not all un-displaced fractures go on to uneventful union.

Of the forty-five patients that met the inclusion criteria for un-displaced femoral neck fracture, seven of which were originally treated at our institution failed, resulting in 18.4% failure rate. In comparison, our complication rates for displaced femoral neck fractures treated with arthroplasty results in a 7.4% failure rate. Failures consisted of AVN (5), nonunion/malunion (1) and loss of fixation (1).

Retrospective study. Patients sixty-five to eighty years of age with un-displaced femoral neck fractures repaired by cannulated screw fixation from 1995 to 2001. X-ray confirmation was done when fracture was not described in the chart. Failure of pinning was defined as requiring re-operation or arthroplasty.

Recent studies argue in favor of arthroplasty for most displaced femoral neck fractures. Despite the limitations of our study, the failure rate of the un-displaced femoral neck fracture is higher than that quoted in the literature, and suggests that arthroplasty would decrease the failures in our study group.