The treatment of displaced fractures of the neck of the femur by compression.

In the treatment of medial fractures of the femoral neck by the Smith-Petersen nail one can distinguish two problems: the first concerns failure to initiate the process of union, as shown by complete separation of the head and the recurrence of the original deformity; the second concerns necrosis and collapse of the femoral head after successful union at the site of the fracture. Complete separation of the femoral head is an early complication, usually