Valgus osteotomy of the proximal femur with sliding hip screw for the treatment of femoral neck nonunions: the technique, a case series, and literature review

Abstract

Femoral neck nonunions are a difficult complication in the treatment of femoral neck fractures and have traditionally been managed using an intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy and blade plate. We propose an alternative method, a proximal femoral valgus osteotomy using a sliding hip screw instead of a blade plate. This technique eliminates many of the difficulties experienced with the valgus osteotomy and blade plate by employing a device and instrumentation that is more familiar to orthopedic surgeons. The technique is reproducible and has been used successfully in a series of 4 patients.