Femoral neck stress fractures are rare and when treating are difficult to achieve favorable outcomes. This study characterizes outcomes associated with the use of cephalomedullary nails for fixation of Pauwels type-3 vertical femoral neck undisplaced-incomplete insufficiency fractures. Four consecutive patients with a Pauwels type-3 vertical femoral neck tensile insufficiency fracture from 2016 to 2018 were reviewed. Magnetic resonance imaging data revealed tensile visible fracture lines and hip-joint effusions with a high shear angle. For all patients, bone mineral density and vitamin D levels were low; vitamin D therapy was initiated immediately. Surgical procedures were conducted with cephalomedullary nails (Gamma 3 locking nail system; Stryker) under general anesthesia. A cephalomedullary nail appears to be a safe and effective alternative to the use of multiple parallel screws or a sliding hip screw for fixation of vertical femoral neck stress fractures (level of evidence: Level V).

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the outcome of fixation with cannulated screws for valgus impacted femoral neck fractures in patients over 70 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the outcome in 33 patients older than 70 years with valgus impacted femoral neck fractures who were treated with cannulated screws fixation from May 2007 to December 2010. These patients were followed for at least a year. We assessed the fixation failure rate, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD) of proximal femur, distance between screw tip and joint, number of screws and time from fracture to operation. RESULTS: We identified six patients (18.2%) with failure. Two patients with subtrochanteric fractures through the screw insertion site and another patient with osteonecrosis were excluded from the fixation failure group. No difference was found in age, BMI, BMD of proximal femur, distance between screw tip and joint, number of screws and time from fracture to operation between failure and non-failure groups. CONCLUSION: The failure rate of cannualted screw fixation for valgus impacted femoral neck fractures in the elderly patients was not low. Risk of failure should be considered in the management of these patients and accurate assessment for fracture type should be performed using computed tomogram and clinical evaluation.
Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Femoral Neck Fractures* ; Femur ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Joints ; Osteonecrosis