Abstract
The purpose of this study was to review the midterm results of HAC coated bipolar hemiarthroplasty in patients with displaced intracapsular fracture neck of femur in elderly patients.
There were 264 patients with 274 fractures from November, 2001, to June, 2004. The operations were performed by employing a similar technique and anterolateral approach. Postoperative treatment was same. The mobility was assessed by ambulation. Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale and clinical evaluations were performed using the Harris Hip Scoring System.
The mean age of 142 survived patients reviewed in the study was 77.5 years (range 61-89 years) at the time of operation and mean follow-up was 25 months (range 18-48 months). Hundred and twenty six patients had no or mild occasional pain but no restriction of activity. Ninety of the ninety eight able to walk independently or with one stick before fracture were doing the same. The surviving implants were radiographically stable and demonstrated evidence of osseointegration and no acetabular wear. Harris hip score averaged 84 points. Fourteen patients (10%) scored 90-100, 80 patients (56%) scored 80-89, 42 patients (30%) scored 70-79, and 6 patients (4%) scored less than 70.
We conclude that patients who score grade 1-3 of American Society of Anaesthesiologist and are mobile preoperatively outside their own home either independently or with one stick are better treated with HAC coated bipolar hemiarthroplasty with extra benefit of easy and quick conversion to total hip replacement if required in future.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Bimal Singh, BOSA at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE
