Arthroplasty Versus Internal Fixation for the Treatment of Undisplaced Femoral Neck Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Study

J Orthop Trauma. 2020 Nov:34 Suppl 3:S9-S14. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001940.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the 24-month risk of mortality between arthroplasty and internal fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Secondary data analysis of 2 multinational randomized controlled trials.

Participants: Patients aged 50 years or older with a FNF.

Intervention: Arthroplasty (n = 1441), including total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty, performed for a displaced FNF versus internal fixation (n = 734), including sliding hip screw or multiple cancellous screws, performed for an undisplaced FNF.

Main outcome measurement: The primary outcome was mortality within 24 months of injury. Secondary outcomes included reoperation and health-related quality of life.

Results: The 24-month mortality rate was 15.0% (n = 327). Arthroplasty was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44-0.72, P < 0.01] compared with treatment with internal fixation. 11.4% (n = 248) of the study patients required reoperation within 24 months of injury. The odds of reoperation were 59% lower with arthroplasty treatment than with internal fixation (aOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.32-0.55, P < 0.01). The 24-month SF-12 physical component scores were 2.7 points higher in arthroplasty patients compared with internal fixation patients (95% CI: 1.6-3.8, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest arthroplasty for a FNF may reduce the risk of mortality and reoperation compared with internal fixation of undisplaced fractures. This finding is counter to many current surgical practices but consistent with a mounting body of evidence. Before widespread adoption of arthroplasty for undisplaced fractures, these results should be confirmed in a definitive comparative trial.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip*
  • Female
  • Femoral Neck Fractures* / surgery
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Hemiarthroplasty*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome