Femoral Neck Fracture After Arthroscopic Femoroplasty of the Hip
Authors
Merz MK, Christoforetti JJ, Domb BG.
DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20150804-57
Purpose
To determine the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of femoral neck fractures following arthroscopic femoroplasty.
Methods
- Survey of 28 experienced hip arthroscopists reporting their total hip arthroscopies, femoroplasties, and femoral neck fractures.
- Data collected included fracture timing, patient demographics, causes, treatments, and outcomes.
Key Findings
- 27,200 total arthroscopies and 14,945 femoroplasties performed; 11 postoperative femoral neck fractures identified (incidence 0.07%).
- Mean time to fracture was 40.5 days post-op; 1:3 male-to-female ratio; mean age 52 years.
- Over half fractures were due to patients not following weight-bearing precautions.
- Treatment varied by fracture severity; all patients improved after treatment.
Conclusion
Femoral neck fracture after hip arthroscopy femoroplasty is a rare but serious complication, more common in older women and often related to weight-bearing violations.
What This Means for Patients
While rare, patients should carefully follow post-op weight-bearing instructions after hip arthroscopy to reduce fracture risk.