What are the classifications of femoral neck fractures

Everyone is familiar with the word fracture, and I believe some people have experienced it personally. But not everyone understands femoral neck fracture. Everyone understands the superficial meaning, but in medicine, femoral neck fracture has more than just such a simple meaning. There are many types of femoral neck fractures, and the most common fractures are not femoral neck fractures. Therefore, the classification categories of femoral neck fractures are introduced below to give everyone a comprehensive understanding of femoral neck fractures.

Rockwood (1984) divided femoral neck fractures into subcapital, transcervical and basal types. Mao Binyao (1992) added a head and neck type according to the anatomical location of the fracture, and divided it into four types:

1. The subcapital fracture line is completely below the femoral head, the entire femoral neck is at the distal end of the fracture, and the femoral head can rotate freely in the acetabulum and joint capsule. This type of fracture is most common in elderly patients. The blood supply to the femoral head is severely damaged. Even if the round ligament artery exists, it can only supply blood to a small area of ​​bone near the round ligament fossa. The round ligament artery gradually degenerates with age and even becomes occluded. Therefore, this type of fracture is difficult to heal, the incidence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head is high, and the prognosis is poor.

2. Head and neck type, that is, oblique fracture of the femoral neck. Since femoral neck fractures are mostly caused by torsional violence, true subcapital and medium neck types are rare. Most subcapital fractures are accompanied by a femoral neck fracture fragment of varying sizes, making the fracture line oblique. This type of fracture is difficult to reduce and has poor stability after reduction. The damage to the blood supply to the femoral head is second only to the subcapital type.

3. In the transcervical (mid-cervical) type, all fracture surfaces pass through the femoral neck. In fact, this type is relatively rare, especially in elderly patients. Some scholars even believe that this type does not exist. Transcervical fractures shown on X-rays are often a false impression and are often confirmed to be head and neck type when repeated radiographs are taken.

4. The basal fracture line is located at the base of the femoral neck. The fracture ends have good blood supply, are easy to remain stable after reduction, are easy to heal, and have a good prognosis. Therefore, some scholars classify it as a trochanteric fracture.

The fracture line of the first three types of fractures is located inside the hip joint capsule, which is called intracapsular fracture; the basal type fracture line is located outside the capsule, which is called extracapsular fracture.

Through the above introduction to the classification of femoral neck fractures, everyone should understand one aspect of the knowledge about femoral neck fractures. Knowledge about these aspects can help people better understand the functions of the human body and better protect their own safety.