Bilateral Femoral Neck Fracture Secondary to Seizure: Treatment with Total Hip Arthroplasty by the Direct Anterior approach

Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). 2020 Apr;55(2):254-257. doi: 10.1016/j.rbo.2017.12.024. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Abstract

Bilateral fracture of the femoral neck secondary to seizure is a rare event. The occurrence of these lesions is related to vigorous tonic-clonic muscular contractions and to the use of anticonvulsive medications. Femoral neck fractures in young adults treated with total hip arthroplasty are the exception, and the choice of surgical access should consider several factors; the direct anterior approach is a possibility for total hip arthroplasty. The authors present the case of a 36-year-old male with bilateral fracture of the femoral neck secondary to seizure, and in regular use of phenytoin. Due to the risk of fixation failure and prolonged evolution time, bilateral total hip arthroplasty was the procedure of choice. The choice of the approach should take into consideration the patient's anatomy, material availability, and surgeon's experience. Thus, the greater ease of preparation and positioning of the patient, the shorter hospital stay, the early postoperative rehabilitation, and the mastery of the technique by the surgeon, are possible justifications for the adoption of the direct anterior approach.

Keywords: arthroplasty, replacement, hip; epilepsy; femoral neck fractures; seizure.