Risk Factors for Neck Shortening in Patients with Valgus Impacted Femoral Neck Fractures Treated with Three Parallel Screws: Is Bone Density an Affecting Factor?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between significant femoral neck shortening (SFNS) and bone density after three parallel screw fixation in valgus impacted femoral neck fracture, and to analyze the risk factors for SFNS.

Materials And Methods: This is retrospective study of 83 patients. We performed univariate analysis for patient information, bone density, fracture configuration and screw position divided into SFNS group (n=13) and non-SFNS group (n=70) and performed multivariate analysis using logistic regression model. We also analyzed the relationship between SFNS and complications such as osteonecrosis of femoral head and nonunion.

Results: There was a significant difference in age, screw non-parallelism and bone mineral density of intertrochanteric and total hip area in the univariate analysis between the two groups (<0.05). In multivariate analysis, old age (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.21) and screw non-parallelism (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.44-6.59) were significant risk factors for SFNS. The incidence of SFNS was significantly higher in the complication group (=0.027).

Conclusion: Bone density did not significantly affect SFNS in valgus impacted femoral neck fractures treated with three parallel screws. The risk factors of SFNS were old age and screw non-parallelism. Therefore, we recommend using other fixation method to prevent SFNS in older ages and making the screw position as parallel as possible when performing screw fixation in valgus impacted femoral neck fracture.