Abstract
With the aim of reducing the period of hospitalisation of patients with fractures of the upper end of the femur and giving them serviceable hips, certain studies have been carried out. A number of mechanical features of the upper end of the femur and the mechanics of internal fixation of fractures affecting this bone end are investigated. A new sliding pin together with a series of cervical and trochanteric fractures is reported. Study of the anatomy of the upper end of the femur has revealed that the so-called trajectorial theory is ill founded. The effect of osteoporosis on the proximal end of the femur, the diagnosis of this condition and the feasibility of determining the calcium content of a given femoral head with the aid of an image intensifier or oscilloscope are examined. The blood supply of the upper end of the femur, revascularisation and the significance of increased radiological density of the femoral head after injury are discussed. Avascular necrosis of the head of the femur is analysed. The importance of the histology and specific gravity of femoral head biopsy specimens is considered. The fixing moments of trifin nails in femoral heads are determined. The aetiology and treatment of traumatic, stress and pathological fractures of the upper end of the femur are presented. Special attention is paid to the solution of difficult cases.