strontium-radioisotopes and Hip-Injuries

Sixty-seven hip joints with intracapsular fracture and the 67 opposite, normal hip joints were studied with 85Sr scintimetry from two weeks to six years after fracture. Consistently, fractures that developed osteonecrosis showed extremely high counts at the fracture site and the femoral head; fractures that failed to unite also showed extremely high counts at the fracture site and somewhat lower counts in the femoral head; fractures that were healing normally showed counts at the fracture site that were higher than those of the normal, uninjured hip but lower than those at fracture sites where osteonecrosis or nonunion was present. Prediction of complications by 85Sr scintimetry is not reliable within the first few months on injury; thereafter, however, the procedure has definite diagnostic value, particularly for osteonecrosis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bone Diseases; Fractures, Bone; Hip Injuries; Hip Joint; Humans; Middle Aged; Necrosis; Postoperative Complications; Radionuclide Imaging; Strontium Radioisotopes; Time Factors; Wound Healing