Outcomes of Treatment for Femoral Head Fractures with Hip Dislocation: Review of 20 Cases

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We wanted to assess the clinical results and the complications of treating femoral head fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with femoral head fractures and who had a minimum 1 year follow up were enrolled in this study from April 2004 to June 2008. The clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the mechanism of injury, the reduction time, the Pipkin classification, the treatment methods, the surgical approach and the complications. RESULTS: There were 5 cases of Pipkin type I and 2 cases of Pipkin type II, 1 case of Pipkin type III and 12 cases of Pipkin type IV. All the patients underwent operation except 1 patient; there were 5 excisions, 7 internal fixations, 1 prosthesis, and 6 internal fixations of combined acetabular fixation without surgery for the femoral head fractures. The average Harris hip score at 1 year after operation was 80.0 (range: 57~99): there were 4 excellent, 7 good, 5 fair and 4 poor results. The complications of the femoral head fractures were 2 cases of avascular necrosis and 2 cases of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation of the femoral head with using Herbert screws showed a favorable outcome, while excision of the femoral head fragments did not. Internal fixation of Pipkin type 1 or 2 fractures could be performed by the anterior approach. The posterior approach combined with surgical dislocation is especially useful in internal fixation of concurrent posterior acetabular fractures, and it has the advantage of preserving the blood supply to the femoral head.