Femoral neck fractures following Birmingham hip resurfacing: a national review of 50 cases

J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005 Apr;87(4):463-4. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.87B4.15498.

Abstract

Between April 1999 and April 2004, 3497 Birmingham hips were inserted by 89 surgeons. Fracture of the neck of the femur occurred in 50 patients, an incidence of 1.46%. Complete data were available for 45 patients in whom the incidence was 1.91% for women and 0.98% for men. The relative risk of fracture for women vs men was 1.94961 and this was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The mean time to fracture was 15.4 weeks. In women the fractures occurred at a mean of 18.5 weeks and were more likely to have been preceded by a prodromal phase of pain and limping. In men the mean time to fracture was 13.5 weeks. Significant varus placement of the femoral component, intra-operative notching of the femoral neck and technical problems were common factors in 85% of cases.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / adverse effects*
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Femoral Neck Fractures / epidemiology
  • Femoral Neck Fractures / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Period
  • Reoperation
  • Risk Assessment