Femoral neck fractures – Pauwels classification

Classification

TypeI: Pauwels’ angle less than 30 degrees

Type II: Pauwels’ angle between 30 and 70 degrees

Type III: Pauwels’ angle more than 70 degrees

Explanation

Pauwels observed that the obliquity of the fracture line with the horizontal plane significantly affected the prognosis of the fracture. The angle formed by extending the fracture line upwards to meet an imaginary horizontal line drawn through the transtubercular (iliac crest) plane on AP film is described as “Pauwels’ angle.” The higher the value of this angle, the greater is the instability of the fracture.

Figures

Reference(s)

Provide the citation for the landmark article and recent review articles describing the classification

Attachments:

Pauwels Classification For Femoral Neck Fractures.png (image/png)