Femoral Neck Fractures in Young Adults

Lee, Chang Ju; Park, Seung Rim; Chang, Ik Yull; Yang, Young Sik; Chang, Sung Kee

Abstract

A fracture of the femoral neck in a young adult differs from the same fracture in an older patient in the following respects; 1. A relatively uncommon injury. 2. A significant difference in the severity of trauma. 3. A less satisfactory result. At the point of view, we studied the femoral neck fcartures in 15, 20- to 50-year-old patients. The aims were to analyze why these fractures occur in young adults, and what results can be expected after internal fixation. The results were as follows; 1. Common in men (3:1). 2. 80% (12/15 cases) of the fractures were caused by severe trauma. 3. The 3 cases (20%) were associated with the other fractures. 4. The factors infuencing the clinical results and complications in our study; a. Severity of trauma. b. Degree of displacement. c. Existence of posterior comminution. d. Time interval between accident and operation. 5. The multiple pinning got the more rigid fixation and diminished the rate of fixation failure. 6. All cases were achieved good to acceptable reduction. 7. Satisfactory functional results were achieved in 93.3%. 8. The rate of avascular necrosis was 15.4% (2/13 cases). It is concluded that the most of femoral neck fractures in younger patients occur because of the significant trauma. In our study, the incidence of avascular necrosis was not greater than in order patients. Therefore, to get as good a result as possible it seems important to perform the anatomical tion and rigid internal fixation with or without bone graft.