Summary

Femoral neck nonunion is a common complication of femoral neck fracture in young adults. Once loss of fixation and deformity is evident, surgical treatment is necessary.Valgus osteotomy is a reliable and reproducible procedure which can lead to salvage of the patient’s own hip joint. This procedure leads to healing of the femoral neck nonunion in a high percentage of cases (less than 90 percent). Existence of AVN of the femoral head does not prevent nonunion healing, and may not compromise the functional result.

Suggested readings:

  • Anglen, JO: Intertrochanteric osteotomy for failed internal fixation of femoral neck fracture. Clin Orthop 341:175-182, 1997
  • Baksi, DP: Internal fixation of ununited femoral neck fracture combined with muscle-pedicle bone grafting. JBJS 68B:239-245, 1986
  • Ballmer FT, Ballmer PM, Baumgaertl F, Ganz R, Mast JW: Pauwels osteotomy for nonunions of the femoral neck. Orthop Clin N Am 21:759-67, 1990
  • Lifeso R, Younge D: The neglected hip fracture. J. Orthop Trauma 4:287-92, 1990
  • Marti RK, Schuller HM, Raaymakers ELFB: Intertrochanteric osteotomy for nonunion of the femoral neck.  JBJS 71B782-7, 1989

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