Pipkin Classification (Femoral Head Fracture)

Pipkin classification (Pipkin 1957) of a femoral head fracture (types I-IV), which typically occurs with a posterior hip dislocation.

Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.

Example

Pipkin type
Type III - + associated femoral neck fracture

Result: Pipkin type III: a type I or II femoral head fracture with an associated femoral neck fracture.

The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.

What the result means

Type I / II
I: below the fovea centralis (spares the weight-bearing surface). II: above the fovea (involves it).
Type III
A type I or II femoral head fracture with an associated femoral neck fracture.
Type IV
A type I or II femoral head fracture with an associated acetabular fracture (usually the posterior wall).

What you enter

  • Pipkin type
How this is calculated

Pipkin G. Treatment of grade IV fracture-dislocation of the hip. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1957;39-A(5):1027-1042. Read the source ↗

A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.

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Built by Clay Good. Source on GitHub.