Femoral Head Fracture Classification

 Pipkin Type 1 femoral head fracture image  Pipkin Type I
  • Femoral head fracture inferior to the fovea centralis
  • Nondisplaced: NWB until fracture union
  • Displaced: excise if small, or ORIF
  • See also AO Classification.
Pipkin Type II femoral head fracture image

Pipkin Type II

  • Femoral head fracture that extends superior to the fovea centralis
  • Treatment = ORIF via anterior Smith-Peterson approach, generally utilize headless screws.
  • See also AO Classification.
Pipkin Type III femoral head fracture image Pipkin Type III
  • Femoral neck fracture that is associated with either a type I or type II femoral head fracture
  • Young, active patient: ORIF of femoral neck and head fractures.
  • Elderly, inactive patient: hemi or THA.
  • See also AO Classification.
Pipkin Type IV femoral head fracture image Pipkin Type IV
  • Acetabular fracture associated with either a type I or type II femoral head fracture.
  • Treatment: ORIF of acetabular and femoral head fractures.
  • See also AO Classification.