Undisplaced femoral neck fracture in the elderly

The results and the related conditions of 250 undisplaced femoral neck fractures managed by percutaneous Knowles pinning were evaluated. All of the patients were over 59 years old, and the protocol of management and follow-up was determined prospectively. The duration from injury to management was 3.0 (range 1-12) days, the operation time was 20 (range 10-44) min, and most of the patients were discharged without hospitalization. The follow-up period was 74 (range 24-138) months. The final results showed 226 (90.4%) fractures with smooth course of union (mean union time: 24 weeks), 15 (6.0%) fractures with nonunion, and 9 (3.6%) fractures with implant problems. Eighteen (7.2%) hips developed avascular necrosis of femoral head after union. The analysis showed that the rate of complications was higher in elderly persons with undisplaced femoral neck fractures.