Platelet-rich plasma combined with hollow screw fixation for femoral neck fractures

Objective To study the curative effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with internal fixation with hollow screws on femoral neck fractures. Methods The clinical data of 160 patients with femoral neck fracture were retrospectively analyzed who had been treated by internal fixation with hollow screws at Orthopedic Department Ⅲ, The Second Affiliated Hospital to Luohe Medical College from May 2012 to May 2018. According to whether PRP was used or not to assist their internal fixation, they were divided into a PRP group (n=80) and a control group (n=80). In the PRP group, there were 46 males and 34 females with an age of 52.3 years±7.6 years, and one case of type Ⅰ, 5 cases of type Ⅱ, 57 cases of type Ⅲ and 17 cases of type Ⅳ by the Garden classification. In the control group, there were 41 males and 39 females with an age of 50.6 years ± 7.3 years, and 2 cases of type Ⅰ, 7 cases of type Ⅱ, 51 cases of type Ⅲ and 20 cases of type Ⅳ by the Garden classification. The 2 groups were compared in terms of fracture healing time, nonunion, femoral head necrosis and Harris hip scores. Results The 2 groups were comparable because their preoperative general data showed no significant differences (P>0.05). The 160 patients obtained follow-up for 12 to 36 months. The PRP group showed significantly shorter fracture healing time (4.3 months ± 1.0 months), significantly lower incidences of nonunion [0% (0/80)] and avascular necrosis of femoral head [3.8% (3/80)] than the control group [7.3 months ± 1.3 months, 7.5% (6/80) and 15.0% (12/80), respectively] (all P< 0.05). The Harris scores at 6 and 12 months after operation for the PRP group (88.7±5.3 and 94.2±4.8) were significantly higher than those for the control group (81.4±4.6 and 84.2±5.2) (both P<0.05). Conclusion In the treatment of femoral neck fractures, compared with internal fixation with hollow screws alone, platelet rich plasma combined with internal fixation with hollow screws can significantly shorten fracture healing time, reduce incidence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head and improve functional recovery of the hip joint. Key words: Femoral neck fractures; Platelet rich plasma; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone nails