Ipsilateral Fracture of the Femoral Neck and Shaft

Kang, Ho Jung; Han, Dae Yong; Shin, Dong Eun

Abstract

Ipsilateral fractures of the femoral neck and shaft are relatively uncommon infuries and usually the result of high-energy trauma in young adults. Frequently, the severe trauma responsible for this injury combination is also productive of associated injuries indeed life threatening. Several unique features of this injury have been recognized, including the high incidence of associated knee injuries, particulary fractures of the patella. This is thought to be due to a mechanism of injury in which the femur is longitudinally loaded at the flexed knee while positioned in neutral abduction. Also, this combination of injuries pose a difficult problem in management. The authors reviewed 14 cases of ipsilateral fracture of the femoral neck and shaft for the evaluation of the associated injury and method of ueatment from October 1986 to Febraury 1991 and the average follow-up period was 1.8 years. The results were as follows. 1. The site of the femoral neck and shaft fracture were mainly, basicervical and midshaft. 2. In two cases, the femoral neck fracture was not diagnosed initially. 3. Most of the associated fractures were patella and tibial fractures and PCL ruptures. 4. Complications Included three stiffness of the knee, two delayed union of the femoral shaft, one superficial wound infection and one delayed union with coxa vara deformity of the femoral neck.