Total hip replacement as a primary treatment for femoral neck fractures

The best treatment for hip fractures in active patients over 60 years old remains obscure. The records of all patients between 60 and 80 years old treated by total hip replacement at the Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia, between 2002 and 2006, were retrospectively reviewed, aiming at the complications profi le. We obtained 20 patients, 70% female, observing 10 and 15% orthopedic and medical complication rates respectively. Only one revision has been noticed. Our results suggest that total hip replacement is a safe procedure compared to ostheosynthesis of femoral neck fractures in active patients between 60 and 80 years old Key-words: total hip replacement, hip fracture, femoral neck fracture. 1 Estagiario do Grupo de Cirurgia de Quadril do INTO 2 Chefe do Grupo de Cirurgia do Quadril do INTO 3 Medico Assistente do Grupo de Cirurgia do Quadril do INTO