Intracapsular pressure and caput circulation in nondisplaced femoral neck fractures

Nine patients with nondisplaced femoral neck frac- ture were evaluated with preoperative Tc-MDP- scintimetry, ultrasonography, and measurement of the intracapsular pressure. The intracapsular pres- sure in straight neutral position of the hip exceeded normal hip pressure in all cases. Patients with an intracapsular pressure greater than 80 mm Hg had a low scintimetric rate, indicating a risk for seg- mental collapse of the femoral head. Intracapsular tamponade may contribute to the development of segmental collapse in some patients with nondis- placed femoral neck fracture, but further investi- gations are needed to determine whether evacuation of the hemarthrosis should be recommended