Low reoperation rate after fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures with the femoral neck system (FNS)

• DOI: 10.1007/s00590-024-03962-2
• Publication Date: 2024-05-03T13:01:34Z
• Authors: Mitchel R. Obey; Christian G. Falgons; Jonathan G. Eastman; Andrew M. Choo; Timothy S. Achor; John W. Munz; Stephen J. Warner
• Keywords: Reoperation; Male; Adult; Fracture Healing; Adolescent; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Middle Aged; Femoral Neck Fractures; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Young Adult; Postoperative Complications; Humans; Female; Retrospective Studies

Operative fixation of femoral neck fractures (FNFs) remains challenging. Complications are not infrequent, especially in displaced patterns. Numerous fixation techniques have been previously described in the literature; however, there remains a paucity of data regarding outcomes of these injuries treated with the femoral neck system (FNS).Patients with a displaced FNF (OTA/AO 31B) treated with the FNS at a single level 1 academic trauma center between 1/1/2019 and 1/1/2023 were identified. Radiographs were reviewed to assess fracture displacement, location, and characteristics. Patient records were further reviewed to assess for complications, reoperations, and osseous union.Forty-three patients (65% male) with 44 FNFs were identified with a mean age of 35.0 years (range, 13-61 years). Two patients developed a deep infection requiring surgical debridement, four patients underwent a total hip arthroplasty, and one patient underwent a valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy for nonunion. There were three cases of femoral head AVN. Mean follow-up was 482.5 days among all patients, and 36 fractures had at least 6 months of follow-up or reached bony union.Here, we present a series of patients treated with the FNS for internal fixation and report a 18% reoperation rate. This is lower than the average rate that has been previously reported in similar patient populations in the literature treated with alternative methods of internal fixation. Thus, the FNS appears to be a safe and effective option for treatment of these injuries.