Femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures: radiographic indicators of fracture healing.
Serial hip radiographs from 280 patients with proximal femoral fractures were analyzed retrospectively by 3 radiologists to evaluate conventional radiographic healing patterns. Patients with hemiarthroplasty or insufficient follow-up were excluded. In the remaining 41 patients, the fracture line and callus was assessed. Intertrochanteric fractures demonstrated increasing callus and sclerosis at the fracture site. No such association was seen in femoral neck fractures. Traditional indicators of fracture healing cannot be readily applied at the hip. Radiographic features relate more to fracture type and fixation method.
Szechinski
J W
JW
Department of Radiology, Osteoporosis and Arthritis Research Group, University of California at San Francisco, USA.
Grigorian
M A
MA
Grainger
A J
AJ
Elliott
J M
JM
Wischer
T K
TK
Peterfy
C G
CG
Genant
H K
HK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome