Surgical treatment of fractures of the femoral neck is one of the most common procedures performed by orthopaedic surgeons. The prevalence of femoral neck fractures as well as demographic projections of an increasingly aged population indicate that these injuries will present a growing challenge to the health care system. Many clinical papers have been published on these injuries, but few report on wellcontrolled studies. Thus, opinion and practice vary regarding treatment.1

Although prosthetic replacement has clearly established a role in the treatment of these fractures, internal fixation remains an effective option in select clinical circumstances. Achieving successful healing and avoiding complications is largely determined by surgical technique.