Early fixation failure in displaced femoral neck fractures.

A study of 76 displaced femoral neck fractures treated by reduction and Knowles pins or AO (ASIF) cancellous bone screws was carried out. Fixation failure within 3 months occurred in 17 cases (22%). Advanced age, inaccurate reduction, a poor mental state of the patient, the number of Knowles pins used, and the preinjury functional ability of the patient are significant risk factors for fixation failure. Neurological disease, the type of fracture according to Garden, delay before operation, and the method of fixation are not significantly related to fixation failure.