Head salvage of an infected neck of femur fracture in an adult: a case report

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2018 Sep;138(9):1235-1239. doi: 10.1007/s00402-018-2963-4. Epub 2018 May 23.

Abstract

Head preservation of an infected neck of femur fracture appears to be extremely rare with no described cases in literature till date. We present the outcome of head salvage in a young adult with an infected neck of femur nonunion who in addition had chronic osteomyelitic sequelae of his entire femur with reactivation of latent infection in the distal femoral diaphysis. Osteosynthesis was performed by means of cancellous screw fixation augmented with bone substitute following a failed attempt at salvage with a valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy. The patient had an excellent functional outcome with near normal hip range of movements at a follow-up of 5 years after union.

Keywords: Adult; Functional outcome; Head salvage; Infected neck of femur; Non-union; Osteosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Screws
  • Femoral Neck Fractures / complications
  • Femoral Neck Fractures / surgery*
  • Femur / pathology
  • Femur / surgery
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods*
  • Fractures, Ununited / complications
  • Fractures, Ununited / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Osteomyelitis / complications*
  • Osteomyelitis / surgery
  • Osteotomy / methods*
  • Salvage Therapy / methods