A STUDY OF ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR CONSECUTIVE CASES OF FRACTURE OF THE HIP

¹ Orthopaedic and Fracture Service, Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals, Boston

One hundred and four consecutive fractures of the neck of the femur were reviewed. Fourteen patients died in the Hospital, and seven more died within six months of injury, leaving eighty-three patients for evaluation. All patients were followed at least nine months, sixty-four patients have been followed for three years or more, and six patients for ten years. In thirteen patients non-union occurred and in sixteen patients aseptic necrosis of a varying degree developed. Ansalysis of all cases of non-union and aseptic necrosis suggested that incomplete reduction with persistent varus deformity was the commonest cause of poor results. Overcorrection with the head in a valgus position did not necessarily ensure union as had been suggested by some observes^2,3,4. Our study suggests that obliquity of the fracture line may require open reduction for accurate reduction and fixation. Union occurred in seventy of the eighty-three patients available for evaluation.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Technorati    What's this?