Introduction

Displaced femoral neck fractures can lead to crippling sequelae if not treated properly. Controversy has existed as to whether these injuries should be treated with internal fixation or arthroplasty. The dramatic outcomes of total hip replacement have led to increasing use of this procedure with broader indications. Each treatment alternative has included a fair proportion of failures, which have required revision. These failures and the increasing demand for normal function in all patients, regardless of age, have lead to increasing debate as to the most appropriate procedure. Our themes section will discuss this important issue in detail.