Treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures: a randomized minimum 5-year follow-up study of screws and bipolar hemiprostheses in 100 patients

Abstract

In a randomized study of 100 patients having displaced femoral neck fractures (Garden types 3-4), we compared internal fixation using 2 von Bahr screws (n = 53) with a bipolar Variokopf prosthesis (n = 47) . The duration of surgery was shorter and the blood loss was less in the group with screws. Dislocation of the prosthesis occurred in 7/47 patients, all within 4 months. After a minimum follow-up of 5 years, 34 of 53 patients had been reoperated on in the screw group and 3/47 patients in the prosthesis group. No differences in patient mortality were noted between the groups after 2 or 5 years. The bipolar prosthesis seems to be a suitable alternative for primary treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures.