CASE REPORT
Combined Intracapsular And Extracapsular Neck Of Femur Fractures Case Series, Literature Review And Management Recommendations
Wasim Khan*, Rhodri Williams, Sam Hopwood, Sanjeev Agarwal
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2017Volume: 11
First Page: 600
Last Page: 608
Publisher ID: TOORTHJ-11-600
DOI: 10.2174/1874325001711010600
Article History:
Received Date: 06/2/2017Revision Received Date: 06/4/2017
Acceptance Date: 15/06/2017
Electronic publication date: 31/07/2017
Collection year: 2017

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Concomitant ipsilateral intracapsular and extracapsular fractures of the femoral neck are rare injuries with only 14 cases described in the literature as single case reports. We present three cases that were successfully and uniquely treated by uncemented hip arthroplasties. Two patients underwent complex primary uncemented total hip replacements, and one patient underwent an uncemented bipolar fluted stem hemiarthroplasty. The level of bearing constraint varied between implants. After describing our cases we review the literature and make recommendations on the management of these injuries. We believe that these are significant injuries and best functional results can be achieved with an early diagnosis and patient-specific approach that can include a total hip replacement in appropriate cases.
INTRODUCTION
Concomitant ipsilateral intracapsular and extracapsular fractures of the femoral neck, otherwise known as segmental neck of femur fractures, are rare injuries but are difficult to manage. These are generally associated with either significant trauma in young patients or low energy injuries to pathological bone in older patients. These injuries are associated with a significant risk of complications including avascular necrosis, non-union and malunion, potentially greater than those associated with single fractures. There has been a limited number of single case reports described in the literature where these fractures are managed with internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty.
CASE SERIES
We present three cases with segmental neck of femur fractures successfully managed with total hip replacements and a hemiarthroplasty. In our series, two patients received complex primary uncemented total hip replacements and the third patient received a Wagner modular, taper-fluted titanium stem with a bipolar head (Zimmer). One total hip replacement included a constrained hip liner system. This is the first report of the management of these fractures with total hip replacements. Following a description of our cases we review the literature and make recommendations on the management of these challenging fractures.
Case 1: A 66 year old male sustained a low energy fall. He was a residential home resident with a history of previous alcoholism and cognitive impairment. Although he resided in a home, prior to the fall he enjoyed a degree of independence and regularly walked to the shops. The patient on radiographs had a displaced intracapsular and intertrochanteric fracture (Fig. 1a). The patient had a high risk of fixation failure in view of his age, associated risk factors, and fracture configuration. In view of this, a decision was made to perform an arthroplasty. The complicating factors were the patient’s cognitive impairment and abductor insufficiency secondary to the trochanteric fracture. To address these factors, the patient underwent a complex primary total hip replacement with a constrained liner and trochanteric grip plate (Fig. 1b). At final follow-up at 18 months he was pleased with the results of surgery and his radiographs were satisfactory. There were no recorded complications. He was mobilising unaided and still managing to go to the shops.
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Fig. (1a). Anterio-posterior pelvic radiograph of Case 1 following the fall (a). |
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Fig. (1b). and after total hip replacement and insertion of trochanteric grip plate (b). |
Case 2: An 82 year old independent male with a history of hip osteoarthritis had a simple mechanical fall sustaining an intracapsular fracture with concominant subtrochanteric fracture (Fig. 2a). Following radiographs, a computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed to better define the fracture configuration and demonstrated fracture comminution. Due to the segmental nature of the fracture and the pre-existing severe arthritis, fixation was not considered a valid option, and the patient underwent a total hip replacement with plate stabilisation for the fracture extension (Fig. 2b). There were no recorded complications. At final follow-up 12 months post-operatively he was pain free mobilizing with a walking stick and had satisfactory radiographs.
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Fig. (2a). Anterio-posterior pelvic radiograph of Case 2 following the fall (a). |
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Fig. (2b). and after total hip replacement with plate stabilisation (b). |
Case 3: Our third case was an 80 year old nursing home resident with multiple co-morbidities who mobilized with a Zimmer frame. She had a fall and radiographs revealed an intracapsular fracture with concominant subtrochanteric fracture with diaphyseal extension (Fig. 3a). She had an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade of 3. Various surgical treatments were considered, and to reduce the chances of any revision surgery from failure of fixation, an arthroplasty was performed. A primary femoral stem was not appropriate in view of the fracture configuration and extension, therefore an uncemented modular, taper-fluted titanium stem with a bipolar head was used (Fig. 3b). There were no recorded complications. At final follow-up at two years post-operatively, the patient remained mobile with a Zimmer frame.
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Fig. (3a). Anterio-posterior pelvic radiograph of Case 3 following the fall (a). |
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Fig. (3b). and after bipolar long-stem hemiarthroplasty (b). |
LITERATURE REVIEW
A review of the literature was performed and 14 cases reports describing 14 segmental neck of femur fractures were identified ranging from 1989 to 2014 [1-14]. The details of these cases are described in (Table 1). The age ranges of the 14 patients described in the literature and our three patients were plot against the numbers (Fig. 4) to demonstrate a bimodal distribution of these injuries, similar to other fractures of the neck of femur. The mean age of all patients was 68 years (range 28-97 years). All four patients under the age of 50 years sustained their injuries following a road traffic accident, and 10 of the 12 patients over the age of 60 years had a low energy fracture. The fracture configurations varied, and in five patients additional imaging was performed in addition to radiographs.
Author | Sex/ Age | Mechanism | Fracture Configuration | Imaging | Difficulty in diagnosis | Associated injuries and comorbidities | Management | Follow up | Outcome and complications at final follow-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
An et al. 1989 [1] | 97M | Twisting fall | Four-part intertochanteric & subcapital fracture | Radiographs | Subcapital fracture on subsequent imaging whilst patient in traction awaiting medical optimisation | Arrythmia requiring cardioversion preoperatively | Long porous coated stem with a bipolar head hemiarthroplasty and cerclage wires. Bone grafting to medial cortex. | 8 months | Asymptomatic |
Pemberton et al. 1989 [2] | 73 F | Fell getting out of bed | Subcapital Garden IV & basal cervical fracture | Radiographs and isotope bone scan | Radioisotope bone scan to confirm acute nature of both fractures | Nil | Five hole DHS | 30 months | No problems relating to hip. No evidence of AVN on radiographs or isotope bone scan. |
Cohen & Rzetelny 1999 [3] | 79 F | Fall at home | Comminuted pertrochanteric & subcapital fracture | Rdiographs | Subcapital fracture noticed intraoperatively on fluoroscopic screening | Nil | Four hole DHS | 24 months | Painfree, mobilising with a stick |
Lawrence & Isaacs 1993 [4] | 72F | Run over by a car | Intertrochanteric & subcapital Garden II fracture | Radiographs and CT | Suspected subcapital fracture requiring CT scan for delineation | Contralateral pubic rami fractures, pulmonary contusions | Four hole DHS | 1 month | Satisfactory radiographs. Discharged to hospice at 2 months and died shortly afterwards of metastatic bowel carcinoma |
Kumar et al. 2001 [5] | 83 F | Slid down couch landing directly on hip | Comminuted intertrochanteric & subcapital Garden II fracture | Radiographs | Nil | Arryhthmia requiring correction preoperatively | Derotation screw, five hole DHS, and trochanteric grip plate | 12 months | FWB with no hip pain. Radiographs with satisfactory healing and minimal head collapse, Bone scan with evidence of AVN. |
Lakshmanan & Peehal 2005 [6] | 91 F | Fell from bed | Intracapsular fracture extending to the extracapsular lesser trochanter | Radiographs | Nil | Nil | Cemented hemiarthroplasty | 6 moths | Satisfactory clinically and radiographically |
Sayegh et al. 2005 [7] | 54 M | Crush injury in an olive press | Pertrochanteric and subcapital fracture with a nondisplaced greater trochanter | Radiographs | Nil | Extensive soft tissue injury to ipsilateral distal third femur and knee, and closed fracture to ipsilateral humerus | Open reduction and 5 hole DHS and cerclage wire | 58 months | 2cm shortening clinically, but satisfactory radiographs with union. |
Butt et al. 2007 [8] | 30 M | RTA | Intracapsular and & reverse oblique intertrochanteric fracture | Radiographs | Nil | Nil | DHS with derotation screw | 12 months | Pain free with no AVN |
Poulter & Ashworth 2007 [9] | 76 F | Not stated | Minimally displaced intertrochanteric & slightly angulated subcapital fracture | Radiographs | Nil | Nil | Percutaneous compression plate (two sliding screws in barrels with a plate) | 4 months | FWB, no pain, good ROM. Satisfactory radiographs at 3 months. |
Dhar et al. 2008 [10] | 30 M | RTA | Femoral neck and trochanteric reverse oblique fracture | Radiographs | Nil | Nil | Two intertrochanteric lag screws, a DCP, and two cannulated neck screws. | 12 months | Pain free with no AVN |
Perry & Scott 2008 [11] | 86 F | Fall at home | Displaced intertrochanteric & undisplaced intracapsular fracture | Radiographs | Intracapsular fracture missed on initial radiographs and only appreciated once displaced following DHS fixation and 10 weeks of mobilisation | Nil | Four hole DHS | 3 months | Fixation failed despite 4 weeks of protected weight bearing, but patient refused further surgery |
Loupasis et al. 2010 [12] | 36 M | Motorcyclist thrown after head on collision with car | Displaced intertrochanteric & subcapital Garden II fracture | Radiographs | Nil | Nil | Three hole DHS with a derotation screw | 24 months | Asymptomatic, resumed normal activities. Harris hip score 93.0. Radiographs satisfactory with no AVN. |
Neogi et al. 2011 [13] | 28 M | Front seat unrestrained passenger involved in RTA | Reverse oblique trochanteric and minimally displaced intracapsular fracture | Radiographs and CT | Intracapsular fracture only identified on CT scans performed for contralateral hip investigations | Contralateral posterior hip dislocation, posterior acetabular fracture and femoral shaft fracture. | DCS and derotation screw | 28 months | Good fuctional outcome with no AVN |
Tahir et al. 2014 [14] | 87 F | Fall at nursing home | Minimally displaced intertrochanteric and subcapital fracture | Radiographs and CT | Nil | Cardiac arrhythmias noticed on admission | Cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty and trochanteric plate | 3 months | Postoperative wound discharge requiring vaccum dressing. At final follow-up, improving mobility and satisfactory radiographs. |
In four of the 14 cases described in the literature, the fractures were not initially appreciated, and in two cases further imaging was performed to investigate the fracture configuration further. An et al. [1] appreciated the additional fracture when the patient had repeat radiographs whilst waiting to be medically optimised for surgery. Cohen & Rzetelny [3] noticed the additional fracture on intra-operative fluoroscopic screening. Perry & Scott [11] only noticed the intracapsular fracture once it displaced after 10 weeks of mobilisation following dynamic hip screw fixation of the intertrochanteric fracture. Neogi et al. [13] only identified the extent of the fracture on CT scanning of the contralateral fracture dislocated hip. Three of the six patients with high energy injuries had significant associated injuries. Interestingly three of seven low energy injuries described in the literature were noticed to have arrhythmias on presentation that needed to be managed before surgery.
The 14 cases reported in the literature so far have been managed in a heterogeneous fashion. Eleven cases underwent fixation with dynamic hip screws, dynamic condylar screws or similar constructs. Three patients underwent hemiarthroplasties. The 14 cases previously described in the literature were followed up for on average of 15 months (range 1-58 month). Interestingly, most patients did well with only one report of avascular necrosis (AVN) [5]. The patient whose fixation failed as the extent of fracture was not recognised intraoperatively refused further surgery [11]. One patient with a high energy injury ended up with a 2cm shortening [7]. One patient died shortly after surgery from other causes [4].
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Fig. (4). Graph demonstrating the age ranges on the x-axis and the number of cases described inth eliterature on the y-axis. A bimodal distribution is demonstrated. |
DISCUSSION
Older patients with low energy fractures need to be optimised before surgery and this may need input from medical and anaesthetic teams [15]. There are a number of surgical treatment options available for neck of femur fractures [16]. The AVN rate of intracapsular fractures depends on the age of the patient; the rate is 20% in patients younger than 60 years old, and 12.5% in patients between the ages of 60 and 80 years old [17]. The rate is likely to be higher in patients with segmental injuries due to the extent of bony and soft tissue disruption. This needs to be borne in mind when considering the optimal surgical management. Although our patients did well following arthroplasty, the literature, albeit with short follow-ups, does suggest good results with internal fixation. Cement augmentation of internal fixation has been described and may further reduce the incidence of complications in these difficult injuries [18]. There is increasing evidence that elderly patients with displaced neck of femur fractures do better with arthroplasty than with internal fixation [19].
We believe that arthroplasty alleviates the risk of AVN, non-union and mal-union associated with fracture fixation and pathological bone, and also allows a more constrained implant where there are concerns regarding stability. In our case series, the level of bearing constraint varied between cases, and this too is an important consideration in deciding the arthroplasty implants. We considered a greater level of constraint of a cup in Case 1 as the patient had a history of cognitive impairment and alcoholism, and a hip fracture configuration suggesting abductor deficiency. We advocate the use of uncemented implants, without potential cement interposition at the fracture site to ensure union.
One limitation of our case series is that it is a retrospective series from a single centre. The cases were managed according to the preference of the operating surgeon and hence different implants were used. These nevertheless highlight that arthroplasty is a valid option where the risks of internal fixation are high.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend a high index of suspicion when assessing radiographs, and further imaging where the radiographs do not demonstrate the fracture pattern clearly. The management of high energy injuries needs to follow appropriate protocol and the presence of distracting injuries should be considered when assessing for injuries. Although the literature suggests that internal fixation is appropriate for healthier and younger patients, there is increasing evidence that elderly patients and those with co-morbidities with displaced neck of femur fractures do better with arthroplasty.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, these fractures are rare but present a challenging problem. We believe that these are significant injuries and best functional results can be achieved with an early diagnosis and patient-specific approach that can include a total hip replacement in appropriate cases.
ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE
Not applicable.
HUMAN AND ANIMAL RIGHTS
No Animals/Humans were used for studies that are base of this research.
CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION
Not applicable.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Declared none.