Abstract
A follow-up study of osteosynthesis was conducted in 15 patients (5 men and 10 women) who had a intracapsular femoral neck fracture. At surgery, the mean age was 57 years (range: 20 to 75 years). The average follow-up period was 4 years and 2 months (range: 3 months to 15 years and 8 months).
According to Garden's classification, 3 cases were in stage I, 5 in stage II, 4 in stage III and 3 in stage IV. Three kinds of osteosythesis devices were used: cannulated hip screw for 8 cases, compresssion hip screw for 4 and cancellous screw for 3.
There was no case of non-union of the intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck and 2 cases of valgus deformity of the femoral neck: one in stage III and the other in stage IV. Late segmental collapse of the femoral head was observed in only one case in stage IV. Evaluation of hip joint function by J. O. A. score showed 88 points on average.
It was concluded that anatomical reduction of the displacement and solid fixation were required and that the fixation device should be removed more than 2 years after osteosynthesis, if possible.
