ABSTRACT
Intracapsular femoral neck fractures represent 60% of all hip fractures. In general, all intracapsular fractures of the proximal femur in the elderly should be treated surgically. For young patients with displaced intracapsular femoral neck fractures the goal is to preserve the native femoral head, and closed reduction and internal fixation of the fracture are generally recommended. The main indication for hemiarthroplasty is a displaced femoral neck fracture. Historically, prostheses with well-documented inferior clinical results, such as uncemented Austin-Moore and Thompson prostheses, have been used as treatment for hip fractures. Periprosthetic femoral fractures are an established complication of uncemented and some cemented implants. The undisplaced femoral neck fracture is treated with internal fixation irrespective of age. The proximal femoral fracture is the classic orthogeriatric fracture. Postoperative infection is probably the worst and most devastating complication after hip fracture surgery. Increasing age and comorbidity are factors associated with an increased risk of infection.
