Author summary
The author reviews aspects of anatomy and physiology, especially vascularization and
pathophysiology, as well as mechanisms of injury that influence the treatment decision
for intracapsular fractures of the hip. A number of other factors that may influence
surgeons’ choice between treatments are discussed, such as age, displacement, limited
life expectancy, chronic disease, and poor bone quality. Avascular necrosis and other
complications are also reviewed. Consensus at the time of this article’s publication
was that the best treatment for intracapsular hip fractures results in fracture healing,
the patient retaining their own femoral head, and the absence of avascular necrosis.
