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Intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in younger patients

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Abstract

Background

Most femoral neck fractures in younger patients have a different mechanism, treatment, and prognosis from those in elderly patients.

Aims

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.

Patients and Methods

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.

Results

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.

Conclusion

Our study emphasises the importance of timely surgery and adequate reduction of displaced femoral neck fractures in younger patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Orthopaedics, Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Co Meath

    M. A. Farooq, S. H. Orkazai, O. Okusanya & A. T. Devitt

Authors
  1. M. A. Farooq
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  2. S. H. Orkazai
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  3. O. Okusanya
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  4. A. T. Devitt
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Correspondence to M. A. Farooq.

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Farooq, M.A., Orkazai, S.H., Okusanya, O. et al. Intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in younger patients. Ir J Med Sci 174, 42–45 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168981

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