Low BMD and high alcohol consumption predict a major re-operation in patients younger than 70 years of age with a displaced femoral neck fracture-A two -year follow up study in 120 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The recommended treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) in patients younger than 70 years of age is fracture reduction and internal fixation (IF). The incidence of re-operation due to nonunion (NU) or avascular necrosis (AVN) has been reported to be between 20-30%. Knowledge of possible predisposing factors needs to be elucidated. The primary aim of this study was to identify factors associated with a major re-operation due to NU or AVN in patients <70 years with a displaced FNF treated with IF.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

128 patients, 20-69 years with a FNF treated with IF. Follow up included radiographic and clinical examination at 4, 12 and 24 months. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with re-operation due to NU or AVN.

RESULTS

The re-operation rate due to NU or AVN was 6%, 16% and 28% at 4, 12 and 24 months respectively. Patients with low BMD was more likely to be re-operated than those with normal BMD, OR 5.5, CI (95%) 1.15-26.8, and those with a high alcohol consumption had 3.2 times higher odds to be re-operated due to NU or AVN, CI (95%) 1.16-8.76.

INTERPRETATION: In more than two thirds (83/120) of the patients the fracture healed after one operation. Moreover, a low BMD and high alcohol consumption were related to a major re-operation. These results suggest that only age as a sole variable for choosing the type of surgical treatment may not be rational.