Cannulated screws for fixation of femoral neck fractures: No difference between Uppsala screws and Richards screws in a randomized prospective study of 268 cases

We compared 2 types of cannulated hip screws in a randomized prospective study of 268 femoral neck fractures. Complications were defined as penetration of the screw into the joint, early redisplacement, nonunion or segmental collapse. During the first year, complications were noted in 31 of 130 patients treated with 3 Richards screws and in 34 of 138 patients treated with 2 Uppsala screws. Secondary arthroplasty was performed in 17 cases in the Richards group and in 16 cases in the Uppsala group. Clinical outcome did not differ between the groups.