Treatment of undisplaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly

BACKGROUND: While the treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly (Garden types III and IV) is quite clear, the procedure for impacted or undisplaced femoral neck fractures (Garden types I and II) is still a subject of controversy. Methods: Thirty-seven (all >80 years old) patients with undisplaced femoral neck fractures were treated with osteosynthesis by cannulated screws fixation. The clinical outcomes were followed up retrospectively for at least two years. RESULTS: The overall union rate was 94.59% (35 patients) at 6 months after primary internal fixation. The overall success rate was 83.78% (31 patients), and the overall failure rate was 16.22% (6 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Osteosynthesis with cannulated screws fixation is a simple, safe, economical, and reasonably effective procedure for the treatment of undisplaced femoral neck fractures in patients older than 80 years.