Treatment of undisplaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly.

BACKGROUND

While the treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly (Garden types III and IV) is quite clear, the procedure for impacted or undisplaced femoral neck fractures (Garden types I and II) is still a subject of controversy.

METHODS

Thirty-seven (all >80 years old) patients with undisplaced femoral neck fractures were treated with osteosynthesis by cannulated screws fixation. The clinical outcomes were followed up retrospectively for at least two years.

RESULTS

The overall union rate was 94.59% (35 patients) at 6 months after primary internal fixation. The overall success rate was 83.78% (31 patients), and the overall failure rate was 16.22% (6 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Osteosynthesis with cannulated screws fixation is a simple, safe, economical, and reasonably effective procedure for the treatment of undisplaced femoral neck fractures in patients older than 80 years.