Missed subcapital fractures

Intracapsular femoral neck fractures, even when they are recognized and treated early, have a relatively high complication rate. Failure to diagnose these fractures can greatly increase the complication rate and make more radical surgery necessary. Reported are two cases of missed subcapital fractures. Both patients had continuing symptoms, eventually were hospitalized, and required arthroplastic procedures. The significance of missed subcapital fractures is discussed, as are guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.