Osteosynthesis of displaced fractures of the femoral neck. A comparison between Smith-Petersen Osteosynthesis and sliding-nail-plate osteosynthesis -- a radiological study.

Smith-Petersen osteosynthesis has been compared with sliding-nail-plate osteosynthesis in a prospectively planned, randomized, follow-up study of 197 cases of displaced medial fractures of the femoral neck. A total of 131 patients were followed for more than 2 years. After Smith-Petersen osteosynthesis 66 per cent of the fractures united and after sliding-nail-plate osteosynthesis 77 per cent united. The results showed that the choice of fixation devices is of minor importance compared with exact reduction of the fracture and optimal positioning of the nail.