Subcapital fractures of the femur. Re-operations with internal fixation

Over a period of 5 years, 55 re-operations with internal fixation were performed on 51 patients. The re-operations constituted 9.2 per cent of all operations employing internal fixation for subcapital fractures of the femur during that period. The indications for re-nailing were penetration of the nail through the femoral head, or slipping of the nail, with or without dislocation of the fracture. Only 26 per cent of the re-nailed fractures healed. Seventy-three per cent showed avascular necrosis and 61 per cent non-union.