title: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head--an unusual complication of an intertrochanteric fracture.
abstract: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is an uncommon complication after intertrochanteric fracture. We report six patients with this unusual complication 1-5 years after intertrochanteric fracture. The possible etiologies of this complication include a more proximal intertrochanteric fracture, a high-energy injury with fracture displacement resulting in vascular damage, and adverse influences of the operative procedures on the vascularity of the femoral head.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies