Garden's classification of femoral neck fractures (FNF) determines treatment strategy. A Garden Stage III fracture is characterized by:

• A Complete fracture with partial displacement; medial trabeculae angulated but head retains contact with acetabulum ✓
• B Incomplete/stress fracture with valgus impaction; trabeculae aligned
• C Complete, undisplaced fracture; trabeculae still aligned on AP view
• D Complete fracture with full displacement; no contact between head and acetabulum; trabeculae completely disrupted

Explanation

Garden's classification: Stage I = incomplete/impacted valgus (trabeculae aligned); Stage II = complete but undisplaced (trabeculae still aligned); Stage III = complete with partial displacement — the femoral head is angulated (rotated) but maintains partial contact, trabeculae are misaligned on AP view; Stage IV = complete displacement, no contact between head and acetabulum, trabeculae appear paradoxically 'aligned' because the head has rotated to align with the pelvis. Treatment: Stages I–II → internal fixation (cannulated screws); Stages III–IV in young patients → ORIF; Stages III–IV in elderly → arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty or THR).

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.