FORMATION OF IMPACTED FRACTURES OF THE FEMORAL-NECK - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

Nine femoral-neck specimens were exposed to a fracturing force applied to the femoral head, perpendicular to the axis of the femur, simulati ng a fall onto the greater trochanter. The mechanical strength and fra cture type were investigated in a universal testing machine. In all ni ne specimens, the superior (cranial) cortex of the femoral neck fractu red first, followed by some compression and fracture of the inferior c ortex, whereby impacted fractures had been formed. After application o f additional force, dislocated fractures occu rred. This method may be of value in experimental studies of impacted fractures of the femoral neck. Relevance This study describes an experimental procedure for fo rmation of impacted femoral neck fractures. Hopefully this technique m ay be employed in further examining the nature and biomechanics of imp acted hip fractures. The ultimate aim would seem to be a classificatio n with regard to which fractures require surgery and which may be trea ted conservatively.