From 1977 to 1992, osteosynthesis and prosthetic procedures were performed in 138 cases of intracapsular femoral neck fractures.
Of these, 83 cases (43 osteosynthesis, 40 prosthesis) were followed-up for more than six months, and clinical results with reference to walking ability were evaluated.
We divided walking ability into four classes, namely (1) walking freely outdoors, (2) walking inside, (3) not able to move without a wheelchair and (4) not able to move from the bed.
Before injury, 95% of osteosynthesis and 100% of prosthesis cases had been walking either outside or indoors.
At the time of the investigation, the percentage of patients who could walk out or indoors was 84.7% for the osteosynthesis group and 70% for the prosthesis group.
The osteosynthesis group was more able to walk when compared to the prosthesis group, although there were no differences in age and follow-up period.
Four of 43 osteosynthesis cases (9.3%), and four of 40 prosthesis cases (10%) required reoperatron because of post-operative complicatoins such as malunion, late segmental collapse, dislocation and loosening.