Pipkin type III femoral head fracture: which treatment strategy can be recommended?

BACKGROUND: Pipkin type III femoral head fractures are relatively rare injuries. Few studies have explored and described the treatment and outcomes of Pipkin type III femoral head fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in treating Pipkin type III femoral head fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients with Pipkin type III femoral head fractures who underwent ORIF from July 2010 and January 2018. The complications and reoperations were recorded. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, Harris hip score (HHS), Thompson–Epstein criteria, and SF-12 score [including the physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS)] were used for functional assessment. RESULTS: Among the 12 patients, ten were males and two were females, with a mean age of 34.2 ± 11.9 years. The median follow-up time was 6 years (range 4–8 years). Five patients (42%) developed osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and one patient (8%) developed nonunion. These six patients (50%) underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). One patient (8%) developed heterotopic ossification and underwent ectopic bone excision; this patient also presented with post-traumatic arthritis. The mean final VAS pain score and HHS were 4.1 ± 3.1 points and 62.8 ± 24.4 points, respectively. According to the Thompson–Epstein criteria, there was one patient (8%) with excellent, four patients (33%) with good, one patient (8%) with fair, and six patients (50%) with poor outcomes. The PCS score and MCS score were 41.7 ± 34.7 points and 63.2 ± 14.5 points, respectively. CONCLUSION: Limited by the high incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, it is difficult to achieve satisfactory functional outcomes when treating Pipkin type III femoral head fractures using ORIF, and a primary THA may be considered. However, for younger patients, considering the survivorship of prosthesis, ORIF may be recommended with the proviso that the patient is fully informed of the high complication rate associated with this procedure. Level of evidence: IV.