Sixty-four lateral fractures of the femoral neck have been treated by Ender nailing in our hospital between 1980 and 1984, and 57 cases have been followed up. Fifty-six fractures (98.2%) have achieved union. Thirty-five cases had resumed their pre-injury gait per formance at the time of discharge. Thirty-three of them (88.6%) have maintained their gait performance following discharge. In contrast, of the 22 cases who hadn't resumed their pre-injury gait performance at the time of discharge, 11 (50%) died following discharge. Postoperative complications caused deterioration in gait performance, but neither deformity of femoral neck, nor migration of the nail caused deterioration in gait perfor mance.
Resumption of pre-injury gait performance before discharge is a very important factor especially concering aged patients life expectancy after discharge, for which an early operation soon followed by rehabilitation is strongly recommended.
