Abstract
During the decade 1986–1996 were admitted in our hospital 2267 patients with hip fractures. From them 179 (7.98%) had already operated on for fracture to their other hip and the majority of them had a good way of life after the first operation. In 125 cases (69.83%) the second fracture was similar to the first.
The mean age was 78.5 years. From the 179 patients, 145 were women and 34 men (rate 4.3/1). The 94 (52.5 %) were intertrochanteric and the other 85 (47.5%) subcabital fractures. The mean time between fractures was 6.5 years in patients under 70 years and decreased in those over 80 years in 3.5 years.
On the bases of our follow up, mean time 18 months (12m–24m), from the 179 patients, 55 (30.7%) died during the first six months, (3 during hospitalization) and 13 (tot 37.98%) later but before our re-examination.
The evaluation of the remaining 111 patients, according pain and activities of the patients was: 16 (14.3%) very good, 52 (47%) good and 43 (38.7%) fair.
The patients with the better results were those under 75 years, who had similar hip fractures and had been operated on the first 3 days. In the other hand the majority of the 43 patients with the fair results were over 85 years.
We found out that the bilateral non simultaneous hip fractures had a high mortality incidence. We believe that, except the age, there were other risk factors for this high mortality, such as, cardiovascular diseases, chest and urinary infections, bed sores etc.
We noticed also that in all patients there was a decrease of the bone mass as a result of the extended immobilization and poor nutrition.
Correspondence should be addressed to 8 Martiou Str. Panorama, Thessaloniki PC:55236, Greece.
