Abstract
Aim: To compare extracapsular and intracapsular proximal femoral fractures in terms of pain scores, morbidity, mortality and total stay in hospital. Method: A prospective study over a 8 month period at a regional trauma centre. 170 patients over 60 years of age were included and their mean age was 82.6 years. Pain scores were recorded daily using a visual analogue scale. Results: Extracapsular fractures are more painful (p< 0.01 Mann-Whitney), associated with greater morbidity (p< 0.05 Chi-square, Fishers Exact) and are slower to recover (p< 0.01 Mann-Whitney) compared to intracapsular proximal femoral fractures. There was less mortality associated with undisplaced intracapsular fractures compared to all others (p< 0.01 Mann-Whitney). Conclusions: trochanteric proximal femoral fractures are more problematic medically and as such require more medical, nursing and resource input compared to intracapsular fractures. This knowledge can be used by the clinician to anticipate greater morbidity and as such treat more promptly.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
