[Fractures of the neck of the femur in younger patients (15-50 years old). Systematic literature research on medial fractures of the neck of the femur in young patients].

Non-pathologic fractures of the neck of the femur in younger patients aged between 15 and 50 years old are rare injuries. These are so-called effectual injuries with very high energy induction due to traffic accidents, falls and sport accidents, causing healthy bones to be fractured and often leading to multiple injuries. The short-term and long-term complications of such injuries sometimes give rise to substantial problems, in particular from non-union fractures and avascular necrosis of the head of the femur. In the literature (and from some experts) the impression is occasionally given that there might be "proven" successful therapeutic procedures for the methods and in particular the timing of treatment of fractures of the neck of the femur in younger patients. This presentation has gone so far that in some cases the term "treatment malpractice" has been used in legal disputes (and judgments) (Judgment IU 5146/00, Higher Regional Court Munich; 2O 861/07 Hei, Regional District Court Ansbach; 118C 421/05, District Court Cologne). The authors have often been called upon as medical experts to comment on the current state of medical knowledge on the question of the biology of healing of fractures of the neck of the femur and the question of"verified" therapy strategies. With this in mind this article is designed to give a review of the current state of proven knowledge according to the available clinical and experimental data and last but not least to stimulate constructive discussion.