Femoral head vitality after peroperative impaction of hip fractures

In 94 patients with femoral neck fracture the vitality of the femoral head was determined pre- and postoperatively with 99mTc-MDP-scintimetry. In half of the fractures a Thornton nail was used, in the other half three Scand hip pins. Irrespective of the displacement, no difference was noted in the two groups. In half of the operations in each group the fracture was impacted by hammer at the end of the operation. In displaced fractures, impaction caused a decrease in femoral head vitality.