A Rare Fracture, an Even Rarer Treatment: The Arthroscopic Reduction and Internal Fixation of an Isolated Femoral Head Fracture

This case report describes the first documented arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of a rare isolated femoral head fracture without associated dislocation. A large suprafoveal osteochondral fracture was arthroscopically reduced by use of crossover techniques gained from experience performing arthroscopic femoroacetabular impingement surgery. An innovative “chopstick” maneuver was used to rotate the mobilized osteochondral fragment into anatomic position, followed by arthroscopic Herbert screw fixation. Relevant surgical techniques and clinical outcome are presented. Although this case shows arthroscopic osteosynthesis for a rare fracture, the techniques described herein may permit broader arthroscopic applications. As hip arthroscopy evolves, the role of arthroscopic surgery in the traumatized hip may expand beyond diagnostic arthroscopy and foreign/loose body removal. An anatomic reduction with stable internal fixation permitting early joint motion trumps the ability to perform outpatient arthroscopic procedures. However, if the equivalent procedure can indeed be accomplished in a safe and minimally invasive manner, one can envision a future expansion of the role of hip arthroscopic surgery in fracture management.