The displaced intracapsular fracture of the neck of the femur. Experience with the Deyerle method of fixation in sixty-three cases.

Abstract

1. Sixty-three patients with displaced intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck were reviewed at least two years after treatment of the fracture with the Deyerle plate and multiple-pin technique of fixation. 2. A properly reduced fracture is extremely important for successful treatment with any type of fixation. 3. In this series with forty-three patients available for evaluation two years after operation, reduction and absolute fixation by the Deyerle plate and multiple-pin procedure resulted in an incidence of avascular necrosis of 11.6 per cent and of non-union of 4.7 per cent. Excellent functional and roentgenographic results were obtained in 81.4 per cent of cases. 4. Primary prosthetic replacement of the femoral head in the treatment of this fracture does not appear to be indicated on the basis of the functional and roentgenographic results achieved in this series. 5. Early postoperative weight-bearing ambulation is possible and desirable when treating this fracture with the Deyerle technique.