Table 3.

Common hip fracture operations. ∗Also used to preserve the femoral head in young patients with displaced intracapsular fracture.

Operation	Fracture	Patient position	Reduction required before incision?	Approximate ‘skin-to-skin’ operating time (min)	Typical incision
Cannulated hip screws	Minimally displaced intracapsular∗	Supine; high traction table	Minimal	45	Lateral
Dynamic (sliding) hip screw	Simple intertrochanteric	Supine; high traction table	Yes	45	Lateral
Intramedullary nail	Complex intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric	Supine; high traction table	Yes	60	High lateral; small distal incision for locking screw
Hemiarthroplasty	Displaced intracapsular	Lateral or supine; low table	No	60	Lateral
Total hip replacement	Displaced intracapsular in fit patients	Lateral or supine; low table	No	90	Lateral; may curve posteriorly