title: Clinical and radiographic outcome of femoral head fractures: 30 patients followed for 3-10 years.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of 30 femoral head fractures. We modified Pipkin's classification into 4 types: I (5 cases) small fracture of head distal to fovea centralis, which was too small or too fragmented to be fixed with screws; II (18 cases), larger fracture of head distal to fovea centralis; III (4 cases), large fracture of head proximal to fovea centralis, and IV (3 cases), comminuted fracture of head. Excision of the head fragment was done in all 5 cases of type I and in 9 type II fractures. Fixation of the head fragment was performed in 9 type II and in all 4 type III cases. The femoral head was replaced in all 3 type IV fractures. After a mean follow-up of 3-10 years, the clinical outcome, according to Epstein et al.'s critieria, were excellent in 7, good in 15, fair in 4 and poor in 1, except in type IV, and the radiographic outcome was excellent in 15, good in 7, fair in 4 and poor in 1. On the basis of our findings, we conclude that excision of the small fragment is a good choice of treatment in type 1. Early accurate reduction with stable internal fixation in type II or III permits bony union. Arthroplasty seems to be indicated in type IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonnam University Hospital, Kwangju, Korea. tryoon@chonnam.ac.kr
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Anwar
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000293:injuries*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D018579:Patient Selection; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome