Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Femoral neck fractures, which are fractures occurring from the femoral head to the base of the femoral neck, are prevalent in the elderly population. With the progression of societal aging, the incidence of femoral neck fractures has been steadily increasing, making it a significant global issue that urgently needs to be addressed.
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the efficacy and safety of dynamic hip screw (DHS) with anti-rotation screw and femoral neck system (FNS) internal fixation for the treatment of Garden II–IV type femoral neck fractures.
METHODS:
A total of 90 patients with Garden II–IV type femoral neck fractures were randomly assigned to either the control group (
RESULTS:
The experimental group demonstrated significantly reduced incision length, blood loss, operation time, and fluoroscopy frequency compared to the control group (
CONCLUSIONS:
Both DHS with anti-rotation screw and FNS internal fixation demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety profiles in the treatment of Garden II–IV type femoral neck fractures. The experimental group showed advantages in terms of reduced incision length, blood loss, operation time, and fluoroscopy frequency, while maintaining similar clinical outcomes and complication rates.
Keywords
Introduction
Femoral neck fractures, which are fractures occurring from the femoral head to the base of the femoral neck, are prevalent in the elderly population. With the progression of societal aging, the incidence of femoral neck fractures has been steadily increasing, making it a significant global issue that urgently needs to be addressed. Studies have shown that the incidence of hip fractures is 18% in females and 6% in males, with the female incidence rate being three times higher than that of males [1]. The main clinical manifestations of these fractures include pain and deformity in the affected limb, functional impairment, and inability to stand or walk [2].
Currently, conservative treatment and surgical intervention are the two main approaches for managing femoral neck fractures in the elderly population. Conservative treatment often requires a prolonged duration and yields suboptimal results, leading to multiple complications associated with long-term bed rest [3]. Although traditional open reduction surgeries provide faster recovery for patients, some elderly individuals have multiple comorbidities and exhibit poor surgical tolerance, resulting in a higher rate of postoperative complications [4]. The biomechanical strength of dynamic hip screws combined with anti-rotation screws is higher than that of cannulated screws [5].
In an effort to reduce the incidence of screw back-out complications, an anti-rotation screw is added above the main screw of the dynamic hip screw system, enhancing the resistance to rotational shear forces. This modification effectively compensates for the inadequacy of the primary screw’s anti-rotational properties, providing strong internal fixation for the fracture [6]. Patients can initiate early non-weight-bearing ambulation with the assistance of crutches, reducing the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs. However, the operative procedure does not exhibit the characteristics of minimally invasive surgery [7].
The biomechanical properties of the femoral neck system (FNS) are comparable to those of the dynamic hip screw combined with anti-rotation screw, but the procedure is minimally invasive. A small incision of 4.0–5.0 cm on the lateral aspect of the thigh is sufficient to perform the surgical procedure, including the insertion of the femoral neck dynamic rod, placement of the lateral locking plate, locking of the locking screws, and insertion of the anti-rotation screw. This approach involves only partial incision of the vastus lateralis muscle and avoids injury to the iliopsoas tendon and irritation of the iliopsoas muscle, better reflecting the principles of minimally invasive surgery [8, 9].
This study aims to compare the short-term therapeutic efficacy of the dynamic hip screw with anti-rotation screw internal fixation and FNS internal fixation for the treatment of Garden II–IV type femoral neck fractures, providing valuable insights for clinicians in selecting the appropriate surgical technique.
Materials and methods
Study design
A total of 90 patients with femoral neck fractures treated at the 909th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force, Center for Orthopedics, from January 2021 to February 2022 were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (
Inclusion criteria: fresh closed femoral neck fractures; Garden II–IV classification; no history of long-term corticosteroid use for systemic diseases.
Exclusion criteria: pathological fractures; old femoral neck fractures; inability to comply with follow-up.
Sample size calculation
Based on the primary outcome of Harris scores at 6 months post-operation, equivalence statistical hypothesis calculations were performed. Literature review and past experience estimated Harris scores of 85
Surgical procedures
All surgeries were performed by the same team of surgeons and the description of internal fixation materials is provided in Table 1. Preoperative routine X-rays and CT scans were performed. All patients received prophylactic antibiotics (cefazolin sodium 3 g, intravenous infusion) 30 minutes preoperatively until 24 hours postoperatively. Patients without contraindications to anticoagulants received low molecular weight heparin sodium (1 mg/kg, once daily) until 12 hours preoperatively, with anticoagulation therapy resumed 12 hours postoperatively.
Introduction of internal fixation materials
Introduction of internal fixation materials
Control group treatment: After lumbar and epidural combined anesthesia, patients were placed in the supine position. The surgical approach was through the proximal lateral femur. Under C-arm X-ray guidance, fracture reduction was performed using adduction and internal rotation maneuvers. After satisfactory reduction was achieved in both anteroposterior and lateral views, a two-hole DHS and an additional anti-rotation screw were used for fixation and reduction. The accuracy of internal fixation placement was ensured under fluoroscopy, and the incision was sutured.
Experimental group treatment: Anesthesia and reduction were performed as previously described. An anti-rotation guide wire was inserted to control femoral neck rotation. A longitudinal incision approximately 4 cm in length was made on the lateral femur. Under the assistance of a guide, a femoral neck dynamic rod guide wire was inserted. After measuring the depth, the lateral femoral cortex and medullary canal were expanded using a reamer. The dynamic rod was inserted through the canal, and the FNS was installed. With the assistance of a connecting rod, the system was gently hammered into the femoral neck medullary cavity. One or two locking screws were used for fixation, and the anti-rotation screw medullary cavity was opened along the guide. An appropriate anti-rotation screw was inserted. After satisfactory internal fixation placement and fracture reduction were confirmed under fluoroscopy, the incision was sutured.
Patients were allowed to sit up on postoperative day 1, and were instructed to perform lower limb, hip, and ankle muscle contraction exercises. Partial weight-bearing with crutches was initiated at 1 month postoperatively, with a gradual increase in load depending on individual healing progress. Full weight-bearing was determined based on the specific healing condition.
The primary outcome measures included intraoperative incision size, blood loss, operation time, fluoroscopy frequency, and fracture healing time. Postoperative complication rates and reoperation rates were recorded for both groups. On postoperative day 3, routine X-rays and CT scans were performed to evaluate fracture reduction and internal fixation. Reduction was graded according to the Garden index: grade I, anteroposterior 160∘ and lateral 180∘; grade II, anteroposterior 155∘ and lateral 180∘; grade III, anteroposterior 155∘ or lateral
Statistical analysis
Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. Continuous data following a normal distribution were presented as mean
Results
Participant analysis
A total of 90 patients with Garden II–IV type femoral neck fractures participated in the study, completing a follow-up of 6 months or more after surgery. All patients were included in the outcome analysis to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the treatment methods. The patients were divided into two groups: the experimental group, treated with dynamic hip screw with anti-rotation screw, and the control group, treated with FNS internal fixation.
Baseline comparisons between the two groups
The baseline characteristics, including age, injury factors, and Garden classification, were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences (
Comparison of baseline data between the two groups
Comparison of baseline data between the two groups
In the experimental group, there was a significant reduction in incision Length, blood loss, operation time, and the number of fluoroscopy examinations compared to the control group (
Comparison of general surgical conditions between the two groups
Comparison of general surgical conditions between the two groups
The Garden index evaluation results demonstrated that both groups achieved satisfactory fracture reduction. No significant differences in reduction grade were observed between the groups (
Comparison of fracture reduction between the two groups
Comparison of fracture reduction between the two groups
Before treatment, there were no significant differences in Harris scores or visual analogue scale scores between the two groups (
Comparison of postoperative complication rate and reoperation rate between the two groups
Comparison of postoperative complication rate and reoperation rate between the two groups
Comparison of Harris and visual analogue scale scores between the two groups. (A) Harris scores. (B) Visual analogue scale scores. * P < 0.05 compared to pre-treatment.
The rates of internal fixation failure, nonunion, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences (
Biocompatibility of internal fixation materials
Throughout the follow-up period, no patients experienced any adverse reactions related to the fixation materials used in either group. This result suggests that both dynamic hip screw with anti-rotation screw and FNS internal fixation demonstrate good biocompatibility in the treatment of Garden II–IV type femoral neck fractures.
Discussion
Femoral neck fractures are a common orthopedic issue, accounting for over half of all hip fractures. With the aging population and an increase in various traumas, the incidence of these fractures is on the rise [1]. Surgical treatment is the primary approach in clinical practice, but postoperative complications such as femoral neck shortening, nonunion, varus and valgus deformities, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head frequently occur [10, 11]. Researchers continue to explore solutions for these problems, mainly attributing them to three aspects: blood supply to the femoral head, femoral neck reduction, and the choice of internal fixation [12, 13]. Multiple femoral neck internal fixation devices are available in clinical practice, with no unified standard for selection [14, 15].
The use of three cannulated screws for internal fixation offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery and good anti-rotation resistance. However, in cases with a Pauwels angle
The main characteristics of the FNS are minimal trauma and excellent stability. From a biomechanical perspective, the FNS is an effective method for treating unstable femoral neck fractures, providing stability comparable to DHS and superior to cannulated screws [8]. The FNS effectively addresses bending, tensile, rotational, and shear stresses originating from the fracture site. Furthermore, after fixation with the FNS, the compressive stress between fracture ends increases, resulting in a more even distribution of external forces. Consequently, the FNS provides strong and biomechanically stable internal fixation for femoral neck fractures, promoting more effective fracture healing [18, 19].
The goal of developing the FNS is to combine the advantages of existing techniques. This new concept in femoral neck fracture fixation still emphasizes biological principles, specifically, promoting fracture healing through initial fracture compression. The results of this study show that the experimental group had significantly less blood loss, shorter operation times, and fewer fluoroscopy examinations than the control group, and the incision length was significantly smaller than that in the DHS group (
The Garden index evaluation results show that both groups had satisfactory fracture reduction (
The FNS includes an anti-rotation screw, which forms a crossed fixation angle with the main screw, substantially enhancing its anti-rotation resistance and preventing screw back-out. Additionally, the FNS connects to a one or two-hole plate, which enhances its resistance to shear and sliding forces. Furthermore, the fracture ends can be compressed through the multifunctional connecting rod, facilitating fracture site healing. As a result, the FNS offers excellent biomechanical performance, increased minimally invasive characteristics, and significantly improved postoperative Harris scores and VAS scores for patients.
This study had several limitations. Firstly, it was conducted at a single center, and the sample size was small. Further investigation is warranted regarding age and garden classification grouping. Secondly, due to the short follow-up time, some important outcomes, such as avascular necrosis, were not evaluated. Thus, a definitive conclusion regarding the fracture healing rate could not be reached, highlighting the need for long-term research. Additionally, other internal fixation devices, such as the cannulated compression screw and gamma nail fixation, were not included in the trial control group for comparison. Finally, the study was unblinded, as the surgeons reviewing radiographs were aware of the type of implant allocated. Therefore, future research should prioritize multicenter randomized controlled studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.
Conclusions
FNS and DHS with an anti-rotation screw exhibit robust biomechanical performance and clinical efficacy in femoral neck fracture treatment. Nevertheless, FNS offers minimally invasive features with smaller incisions and reduced blood loss, along with notably enhanced postoperative Harris scores and VAS scores for patients. Consequently, FNS system fixation can facilitate early rehabilitation of hip joint function in femoral neck fracture patients, with a high safety profile devoid of complications.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest
None to report.
