Outcome of cloverleaf locking plate fixation for femoral neck fractures in young adults.

Abstract: Femoral neck fractures in young adults remain a major problem in orthopaedics. Although treatments using cannulated screws and sliding hip screws are widely accepted, they pose significant clinical challenges. In the present study, we evaluated the outcome of treatment using cloverleaf locking plate fixation (augmented with the addition of addition of nonvascularised autologous bone grafts for neglected fracture). Fourteen patients were investigated in this cross-sectional study. Union times and Harris hip scores were analysed by independent T-test based on displacement (displaced vs. nondisplaced) and type (acute vs. neglected) of fracture. No difference in union time was found between acute and neglected groups and between nondisplaced and displaced fractures. Harris hip scores were similar between acute and neglected groups and between non- and displaced group. Cloverleaf locking plate fixation is a viable alternative method for stable fixation of femoral neck fractures in young adults.

Key Words: Femoral neck fracture, young adult, cloverleaf locking plate, Harris hip score, union rate.