Pauwels' classification of femoral neck fractures:: Correct interpretation of the original

Pauwels' classification has been in use as a therapeutic guideline since 1935. Although its application is currently limited, it is still referred to and frequently misinterpreted by authors. The causes of this misinterpretation relate first of all to the degrees of the inclination of the fracture line in Degrees Ii and III of the classification. The correct values of Pauwels' classification are the following: Degree I, up to 30 degrees; Degree II, between 30 and 50 degrees; and Degree III, 50 degrees and more.