To study the short-term clinical outcomes of THA with a large diameter femoral head (36 mm) and BA in physiologically active elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures

This non-concurrent clinical trial included 40 patients with displaced femoral neck fractures, who had been treated with prosthetic replacement from February 2004 and December 2004. Twenty patients underwent either THA or BA. The mean follow-up period was 18 months(12~26). The clinical outcome was analyzed, and the latest follow-up radiographs were assessed to determine the number of complications, such as osteolysis, loosening, fracture, dislocation, etc.

The clinical and functional results were better in the THA group than in the BA group. The mean operation time was significantly shorter in the BA group than in the THA group. The mean intra-operative blood loss was similar in the two groups. Despite there being no limitation of the range of motion in the early post-operative period, there was no dislocation encountered in either group.

A THA with a large diameter femoral head is recommended for the management of patients with femoral neck fractures because THA produces a better result than BA.