Low BMD and high alcohol consumption predict a major re-operation in patients younger than 70 years of age with a displaced femoral neck fracture A two –year follow up study in 120 patients

Publication date: Available online 12 September 2018

Source: Injury

Author(s): Pierre CAMPENFELDT, Amer AL-ANI, Margareta HEDSTRÖM, Wilhelmina EKSTRÖM

Abstract

Background and purpose

The recommended treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) in patients younger than 70 years of age is fracture reduction and internal fixation (IF). The incidence of re-operation due to nonunion (NU) or avascular necrosis (AVN) has been reported to be between 20-30%. Knowledge of possible predisposing factors needs to be elucidated. The primary aim of this study was to identify factors associated with a major re-operation due to NU or AVN in patients <70 years with a displaced FNF treated with IF.

Patients and methods

128 patients, 20-69 years with a FNF treated with IF. Follow up included radiographic and clinical examination at 4, 12 and 24 months. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with re-operation due to NU or AVN.

Results

The re-operation rate due to NU or AVN was 6%, 16% and 28% at 4, 12 and 24 months respectively. Patients with low BMD was more likely to be re-operated than those with normal BMD, OR 5.5, CI (95%) 1.15-26.8, and those with a high alcohol consumption had 3.2 times higher odds to be re-operated due to NU or AVN, CI (95%) 1.16-8.76.

Interpretation

In more than two thirds (83/120) of the patients the fracture healed after one operation. Moreover, a low BMD and high alcohol consumption were related to a major re-operation. These results suggest that only age as a sole variable for choosing the type of surgical treatment may not be rational.

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