The clinical presentation of a proximal femoral fracture is completely different between young and adult patients. Unlike closed proximal femoral fractures, the incidence of exposed fractures is found in the young population between 15 and 30 years of age. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is one the complications we can find in this type of fractures. Avascular necrosis (AVN or osteonecrosis) is defined as the interruption of blood supply to the femoral head due to trauma, infectionalcohol or steroid use, resulting in bone necrosis, joint collapse and osteoarthrosis. The treatment will depend on the clinical presentation, age of the patient and when the diagnosis is made. This is a case report of a 16-year-old patient with a gunshot wound on the hip. Surgical cleansing and closed reduction plus internal fixation with a nail in the center of the spine were performed. A 3-year clinical and radiographic follow up was made, observing the evolution of the fracture and the subsequent avascular necrosis that the patient presented.
Key words: Proximal femoral fracture; hip; avascular necrosis (AVN, osteonecrosis); open fracture; osteoarthritis.
Complex proximal femoral fracture in a young patient followed up for 3 years: A case report
