Pierre Campenfeldt1, Amer Al-Ani2, Margareta Hedström3, Wilhelmina Ekström4. 1. Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Sweden; Swedish Armed Forces, Defence Inspector for Medicine and Environmental Health, Tegeluddsvägen 100 SE-107 85, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: pierre.campenfeldt@ki.se. 2. Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Sweden; Orthopedic Clinic, Vällingby-Läkarhuset, Praktikertjänst AB, Sweden. 3. Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Sweden; Department of Orthopaedics, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. 4. Department of Orthopaedics, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden; Karolinska Institutet, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section of Orthopaedics and Sport Medicine, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The recommended treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) in patients younger than 70 years of age is fracture reduction and internal fixation (IF). The incidence of re-operation due to nonunion (NU) or avascular necrosis (AVN) has been reported to be between 20-30%. Knowledge of possible predisposing factors needs to be elucidated. The primary aim of this study was to identify factors associated with a major re-operation due to NU or AVN in patients <70 years with a displaced FNF treated with IF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 128 patients, 20-69 years with a FNF treated with IF. Follow up included radiographic and clinical examination at 4, 12 and 24 months. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with re-operation due to NU or AVN. RESULTS: The re-operation rate due to NU or AVN was 6%, 16% and 28% at 4, 12 and 24 months respectively. Patients with low BMD was more likely to be re-operated than those with normal BMD, OR 5.5, CI (95%) 1.15-26.8, and those with a high alcohol consumption had 3.2 times higher odds to be re-operated due to NU or AVN, CI (95%) 1.16-8.76. INTERPRETATION: In more than two thirds (83/120) of the patients the fracture healed after one operation. Moreover, a low BMD and high alcohol consumption were related to a major re-operation. These results suggest that only age as a sole variable for choosing the type of surgical treatment may not be rational.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The recommended treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) in patients younger than 70 years of age is fracture reduction and internal fixation (IF). The incidence of re-operation due to nonunion (NU) or avascular necrosis (AVN) has been reported to be between 20-30%. Knowledge of possible predisposing factors needs to be elucidated. The primary aim of this study was to identify factors associated with a major re-operation due to NU or AVN in patients <70 years with a displaced FNF treated with IF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 128 patients, 20-69 years with a FNF treated with IF. Follow up included radiographic and clinical examination at 4, 12 and 24 months. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with re-operation due to NU or AVN. RESULTS: The re-operation rate due to NU or AVN was 6%, 16% and 28% at 4, 12 and 24 months respectively. Patients with low BMD was more likely to be re-operated than those with normal BMD, OR 5.5, CI (95%) 1.15-26.8, and those with a high alcohol consumption had 3.2 times higher odds to be re-operated due to NU or AVN, CI (95%) 1.16-8.76. INTERPRETATION: In more than two thirds (83/120) of the patients the fracture healed after one operation. Moreover, a low BMD and high alcohol consumption were related to a major re-operation. These results suggest that only age as a sole variable for choosing the type of surgical treatment may not be rational.