Femoral Neck Fractures in the Young Patient

Abstract

Femoral neck fractures in patients 55 years or younger, although relatively uncommon, may cause considerable surgeon stress because they may be thought to be surgical emergencies and are difficult to manage, resulting in serious complications. Orthopaedic surgeons should understand the optimal timing for, the reduction options and techniques for, the fixation options for, and the results of surgical management of femoral neck fractures in patients 55 years or younger. The optimal timing of the surgical management of femoral neck fractures in these patients is a subject of debate. Anatomic reduction, which correlates with patient outcomes, is the goal in the management of femoral neck fractures whether it is attained via open or closed means. Multiple surgical approaches, including the Watson-Jones, Smith-Petersen, and Hueter approaches, may be used for the open reduction of femoral neck fractures. Multiple options are available for fixation, with cannulated screws and the compression hip screw most used in the literature. These implants should provide torsional stability, minimal bone loss, and a length-stable construct. Currently, no ideal implant exists. The outcomes of young patients with a femoral neck fracture who undergo surgical treatment depend more on fracture type, fracture reduction, and stable fixation than early surgical management; however, surgical management should not be excessively delayed.