Fracture neck of femur: Epidemiology and surgical treatment at Nohd Kano

OBJECTIVE: To access the epidemology, pattern and surgical treatment of fracture neck of femur (FNF). PATIENTS AND METHOD: A 5-year retrospective study of FNF at NOH Kano, which considered; Epidemology, Radiological pattern and surgical treatment and outcome between January 1998 and December 2002. RESULTS: 54 patients were surgically treated for FNF. Male – female ratio is 3.5:1. The active age group of 20 – 60 years (68.5%) were those mainly affected. The aetiological factors implicated are road traffic accident (50%) of which motorcycle related is highest amongst other vehicles, wheelbarrows, and bicycles. Falls (44%), Pathological fractures (5.6%). The surgical treatment showed more of the arthroplastic procedure (64.8%) than fixation (35.2%). Severely displaced fractures with irreversible complications, make for this treatment option. CONCLUSION: Education of our population on early presentation to hospital is needful. Efforts at curtailing the motorcycle menace must be adopted. Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol.3(1) 2004: 1-