Ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures. Retrospective study of 33 cases

Abstract

Forty-two consecutive adult patients with a concomitant ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fracture were treated. The neck fracture was initially missed in 7 patients. Surgery was delayed for a median of 7 days because of the patients' poor general conditions. Thirty-three patients were followed up for 2 (1-6) years. All 33 necks healed, with a union period of 3.3 +/- 1.7 months; and 28 shafts healed after 7.9 +/- 1.8 months. Thus, the femoral shaft determined the total union rate and union period. All the complications, (eight out of 33) occurred in the open procedure group. Our series reveals that ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures have a relatively satisfactory outcome. Closed Küntscher's nailing or interlocking nailing with supplementary Knowles' pinning is the preferable technique.