Aims. This study aimed to describe practice variation in the use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for older patients with femoral neck fracture and to determine the association between patient, surgeon, and institution factors and treatment with THA. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 49,597 patients aged 60 years and older from Ontario, Canada, who underwent hemiarthroplasty or THA for femoral neck fracture between 2002 and 2017. This population-based study used routinely collected healthcare databases linked through ICES (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). Multilevel logistic regression modelling was used to quantify the association between patient, surgeon, and institution-level variables and whether patients were treated with THA. Variance partition coefficient and median odds ratios were used to estimate the variation attributable to higher-level variables and the magnitude of effect of higher-level variables, respectively. Results. Over the study period, 9.4% of patients (n = 4,638) were treated with THA. Patient factors associated with higher likelihood of treatment by THA included: younger age, male sex, and diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis. Long-term care residence, use of home care services prior to hip fracture, diagnosis of dementia, higher comorbidity burden, and the most marginalized group were negatively associated with treatment by THA. Treating surgeon and institution accounted for 54.2% and 17.8% of the total variation in treatment with THA, respectively. Surgeon volume of THA procedures in the 365 days prior to surgery was the strongest higher-level predictor of treatment with THA. Specific treating surgeons and institutions still accounted for significant proportions of the variability in treatment with THA (40.3% and 19.5% of total observed variation, respectively) after controlling for available patient, surgeon, and institution-level variables. Conclusion. The strongest predictors for treatment of patients with femoral neck fracture with THA were patient age, treating surgeon, and treating institution. This practice variation highlights differential access to care for patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):180–189

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the early postoperative mortality and morbidity in older patients with a fracture of the femoral neck, between those who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and those who underwent hemiarthroplasty. Methods. This nationwide, retrospective cohort study used data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. We included older patients (aged ≥ 60 years) who underwent THA or hemiarthroplasty after a femoral neck fracture, between July 2010 and March 2022. A total of 165,123 patients were included. The THA group was younger (mean age 72.6 (SD 8.0) vs 80.7 years (SD 8.1)) and had fewer comorbidities than the hemiarthroplasty group. Patients with dementia or malignancy were excluded because they seldom undergo THA. The primary outcome measures were mortality and complications while in hospital, and secondary outcomes were readmission and reoperation within one and two years after discharge, and the costs of hospitalization. We conducted an instrumental variable analysis (IVA) using differential distance as a variable. Results. The IVA analysis showed that the THA group had a significantly higher rate of complications while in hospital (risk difference 6.3% (95% CI 2.0 to 10.6); p = 0.004) than the hemiarthroplasty group, but there was no significant difference in the rate of mortality while in hospital (risk difference 0.3% (95% CI -1.7 to 2.2); p = 0.774). There was no significant difference in the rate of readmission (within one year: risk difference 1.3% (95% CI -1.9 to 4.5); p = 0.443; within two years: risk difference 0.1% (95% CI -3.2 to 3.4); p = 0.950) and reoperation (within one year: risk difference 0.3% (95% CI -0.6 to 1.1); p = 0.557; within two years: risk difference 0.1% (95% CI -0.4 to 0.7); p = 0.632) after discharge. The costs of hospitalization were significantly higher in the THA group than in the hemiarthroplasty group (difference $2,634 (95% CI $2,496 to $2,772); p < 0.001). Conclusion. Among older patients undergoing surgery for a femoral neck fracture, the risk of early complications was higher after THA than after hemiarthroplasty. Our findings should aid in clinical decision-making in these patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(9):986–993

Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the potentially increased risk of dislocation in patients with neurological disease who sustain a femoral neck fracture, as it is unclear whether they should undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hemiarthroplasty (HA). A secondary aim was to investgate whether dual-mobility components confer a reduced risk of dislocation in these patients. Methods. We undertook a longitudinal cohort study linking the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register with the National Patient Register, including patients with a neurological disease presenting with a femoral neck fracture and treated with HA, a conventional THA (cTHA) with femoral head size of ≤ 32 mm, or a dual-mobility component THA (DMC-THA) between 2005 and 2014. The dislocation rate at one- and three-year revision, reoperation, and mortality rates were recorded. Cox multivariate regression models were fitted to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). Results. A total of 9,638 patients with a neurological disease who also underwent unilateral arthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture were included in the study. The one-year dislocation rate was 3.7% after HA, 8.8% after cTHA < 32 mm), 5.9% after cTHA (= 32 mm), and 2.7% after DMC-THA. A higher risk of dislocation was associated with cTHA (< 32 mm) compared with HA (HR 1.90 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26 to 2.86); p = 0.002). There was no difference in the risk of dislocation with DMC-THA (HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.26 to 1.84); p = 0.451) or cTHA (= 32 mm) (HR 1.54 (95% CI 0.94 to 2.51); p = 0.083). There were no differences in the rate of reoperation and revision-free survival between the different types of prosthesis and sizes of femoral head. Conclusion. Patients with a neurological disease who sustain a femoral neck fracture have similar rates of dislocation after undergoing HA or DMC-THA. Most patients with a neurological disease are not eligible for THA and should thus undergo HA, whereas those eligible for THA could benefit from a DMC-THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):134–141

Aims. Patients who sustain neck of femur fractures are at high risk of malnutrition. Our intention was to assess to what extent malnutrition was associated with worse patient outcomes. Methods. A total of 1,199 patients with femoral neck fractures presented to a large UK teaching hospital over a three-year period. All patients had nutritional assessments performed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Malnutrition risk was compared to mortality, length of hospital stay, and discharge destination using logistic regression. Adjustments were made for covariates to identify whether malnutrition risk independently affected these outcomes. Results. Inpatient mortality was 5.2% (35/678) in the group at low risk of malnutrition, 11.3% (46/408) in the medium-risk group, and 17.7% (20/113) in the high-risk group. Multivariate analysis showed each categorical increase in malnutrition risk independently predicted inpatient mortality with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.59 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 2.21; p = 0.006). An increased mortality rate persisted at 120 days post-injury (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.22; p = 0.002). There was a stepwise increase in the proportion of patients discharged to a residence offering a greater level of supported living. Multivariate analysis produced an OR of 1.34 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.75; p = 0.030) for each category of MUST score. Median length of hospital stay increased with a worse MUST score: 13.9 days (interquartile range (IQR) 8.2 to 23.8) in the low-risk group; 16.6 days (IQR 9.0 to 31.5) in the medium-risk group; and 22.8 days (IQR 10.1 to 41.1) in the high-risk group. Adjustment for covariates revealed a partial correlation coefficient of 0.072 (p = 0.008). Conclusion. A higher risk of malnutrition independently predicted increased mortality, length of hospital stay, and discharge to a residence offering greater supported living after femoral neck fracture. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):164–169

Aims. Within the UK, around 70,000 patients suffer neck of femur (NOF) fractures annually. Patients presenting with this injury are often frail, leading to increased morbidity and a 30-day mortality rate of 6.1%. COVID-19 infection has a broad spectrum of clinical presentations with the elderly, and those with pre-existing comorbidities are at a higher risk of severe respiratory compromise and death. Further increased risk has been observed in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on the complication and mortality rates of NOF fracture patients. Methods. All NOF fracture patients presenting between March 2020 and May 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two subgroup: those with or without clinical and/or laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. Data were collected on patient demographics, pattern of injury, complications, length of stay, and mortality. Results. Overall, 132 patients were included. Of these, 34.8% (n = 46) were diagnosed with COVID-19. Bacterial pneumonia was observed at a significantly higher rate in those patients with COVID-19 (56.5% vs 15.1%; p =< 0.000). Non respiratory complications such as acute kidney injury (30.4% vs 9.3%; p =0.002) and urinary tract infection (10.9% vs 3.5%; p =0.126) were also more common in those patients with COVID-19. Length of stay was increased by a median of 21.5 days in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (p < 0.000). 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 (37.0%) when compared to those without (10.5%; p <0.000). Conclusion. This study has shown that patients with a neck of femur fracture have a high rate of mortality and complications such as bacterial pneumonia and acute kidney injury when diagnosed with COVID-19 within the perioperative period. We have demonstrated the high risk of in hospital transmission of COVID-19 and the association between the infection and an increased length of stay for the patients affected. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-11:669–675

Aims. Monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are useful for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), but their diagnostic values are unclear for screening fixation-related infection (FRI) in patients for whom conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) is planned after failed internal fixation for femoral neck fracture. Methods. We retrospectively included 340 patients who underwent conversion THA after internal fixation for femoral neck fracture from January 2008 to September 2020. Those patients constituted two groups: noninfected patients and patients diagnosed with FRI according to the 2013 International Consensus Meeting Criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine maximum sensitivity and specificity of these two preoperative ratios. The diagnostic performance of the two ratios combined with preoperative CRP or ESR was also evaluated. Results. The numbers of patients with and without FRI were 19 (5.6%) and 321 (94.4%), respectively. Areas under the ROC curve for diagnosing FRI were 0.763 for MLR, 0.686 for NLR, 0.905 for CRP, and 0.769 for ESR. Based on the Youden index, the optimal predictive cutoffs were 0.25 for MLR and 2.38 for NLR. Sensitivity and specificity were 78.9% and 71.0% for MLR, and 78.9% and 56.4% for NLR, respectively. The combination of CRP with MLR showed a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 94.6%, while the corresponding values for the combination of CRP with NLR were 89.5% and 91.5%, respectively. Conclusion. The presence of preoperative FRI among patients undergoing conversion THA after internal fixation for femoral neck fracture should be determined. The combination of preoperative CRP with NLR is sensitive tool for screening FRI in those patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(9):1534–1540

National guidelines encourage the use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) to treat intracapsular neck of femur fractures. There have been no population based studies appraising the surgical outcomes for this indication across an entire population. This study aims to calculate the complication rates for THA when performed for a fractured neck of femur and compare them to THA performed for primary osteoarthritis in the same population. The Scottish Arthroplasty Project identified all THAs performed in Scotland for neck of femur fracture and osteoarthritis between 1st of January 2009 and 31st December 2014. Dislocation, periprosthetic infection and revision rates at 1 year were calculated. The rate of dislocation, periprosthetic infection and revision at 1 year were all significantly increased among the fracture neck of femur cohort. In total 44046 THAs were performed, 38316 for OA and 2715 for a neck of femur fracture. 2.1% of patients (n=57) who underwent a THA for a neck of femur fracture suffered a dislocation in the 1st year postoperatively, compared to 0.9% (n=337) when the THA was performed for osteoarthritis. Relative Risk of dislocation: 2.4 (95% C.I. 1.8077–3.1252, p value <0.0001). Relative Risk of infection: 1.5 (95% C.I. 1.0496–2.0200, p value 0.0245) Relative Risk of revision: 1.5 (95% C.I. 1.0308–2.1268, p value 0.0336). This is the first time a dislocation rate for THA performed for a neck of femur fracture has been calculated for an entire population. As the number of THAs for neck of femur fracture increases this dislocation rate will have clinical implications

Background. Systematic reviews disagree, but some recent studies have shown better function and less pain after operation with bipolar hemiarthroplasty compared to fixation by two screws in elderly patients operated for displaced femoral neck fractures. There is still uncertainty regarding the mortality associated with both procedures. Aim of the study. To investigate mortality and the risk factors for death among patients with displaced femoral neck fractures within the first three years after surgery, comparing operation with bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) and internal fixation (IF) by two screws. Methods. 12,313 patients (65 years or older) with displaced femoral neck fractures (Garden 3 and 4) operated either with IF by two screws (n = 3,436) or a bipolar HA (n = 8,877) were selected from the files of The Norwegian Hip Fracture Register 2005–2009. Mortality was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and risk factors for death were studied using Cox-regression analysis. A power analysis showed the study sample to be sufficient to detect a difference in mortality of 3% at one and three years postoperatively. Results. The overall one-year mortality was 28% and three-year mortality was 50%. High age, male gender, cognitive impairment, increasing ASA score and delay in surgery >48 hours after injury were all associated with increased risk of death. For patients operated with a bipolar HA there was a statistically significant increased risk of death at day 30 (RR = 1.30, p<0.01), day 120 (RR = 1.15, p = 0.01), and day 240 (RR = 1.10, p<0.01) postoperatively compared to IF by two screws. At one year (RR = 1.04, p = 0.28) and three years (RR = 1.05, p = 0.16) postoperatively, we found no difference in the risk of death when comparing operation with bipolar HA to IF by two screws. Interpretation. The mortality for patients with displaced femoral neck fractures was considerable and dependent on age, gender, ASA score, cognitive status, and timing of surgery. Given the small magnitude of the difference in short-term mortality and no difference in one- and three-year mortality (or at least less than 3%) between the two treatment groups, we do not believe our findings should influence the choice of treatment method

Background. A well conducted randomised study found similar functional results for patients with displaced femoral neck fracture comparing operation with a modern uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty with a cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty. The mortality associated with the two procedures has not been sufficiently investigated. Aim of study. To investigate the mortality and the risk factors for death among patients with displaced femoral neck fractures the first year after surgery, comparing operation with modern uncemented and cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA). Methods. 8,636 patients (65 years and older) with displaced femoral neck fractures (Garden 3 and 4) operated with a cemented (n = 6,907) or a uncemented bipolar HA (n = 1,729) were selected from the files of The Norwegian Hip Fracture Register 2005–2009. Mortality was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and risk factors of death were investigated using Cox-regression analysis. A power analysis showed the study sample to be sufficient to detect a difference in mortality of 3% at one year postoperatively. Results. Overall mortality one year postoperatively was 27%. We found no difference in the risk of death when comparing operation with cemented with uncemented bipolar HA one year (RR = 0.97, p = 0.51), 240 days (RR = 1.00, p = 0.95), 120 days (RR = 1.04, p = 0.57), and 30 days (RR = 1.12, p = 0.23) postoperatively. However, 10 days postoperatively there was an increased risk of death for patients operated with cemented HA compared to those operated with uncemented bipolar HA (RR = 1.34, p = 0.03). High age, male gender, cognitive impairment, increasing ASA score, and delay in surgery >48 hours after injury were all associated with an increased risk of death one year postoperatively. Interpretation. The early increased risk of death for patients operated with a cemented HA might be caused by the bone cement implantation syndrome. Our results further indicate that the difference in mortality one year postoperatively is likely to be less than 3%

The results of meta-analysis show a revision rate of 33% for internal fixation of displaced fractures of the femoral neck, mostly because of nonunion. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are highly prevalent in elderly patients. Bone density has been shown to correlate with the intrinsic stability of the fixation of the fracture in cadaver and retrospective studies. We aimed to confirm or refute this finding in a clinical setting. We performed a prospective, multicentre study of 111 active patients over 60 years of age with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck which was eligible for internal fixation. The bone density of the femoral neck was measured pre-operatively by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The patients were divided into two groups namely, those with osteopenia (66%, mean T-score −1.6) and those with osteoporosis (34%, mean T-score −3.0). Age (p = 0.47), gender (p = 0.67), delay to surgery (p = 0.07), the angle of the fracture (p = 0.33) and the type of implant (p = 0.48) were similar in both groups. Revision to arthroplasty was performed in 41% of osteopenic and 42% of osteoporotic patients (p = 0.87). Morbidity (p = 0.60) and mortality were similar in both groups (p = 0.65). Our findings show that the clinical outcome of internal fixation for displaced fractures of the femoral neck does not depend on bone density and that pre-operative DEXA is not useful

Aims. The primary aim of this prognostic study was to identify baseline factors associated with physical health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients after a femoral neck fracture. The secondary aims were to identify baseline factors associated with mental HRQL, hip function, and health utility. Patients and Methods. Patients who were enrolled in the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip Fractures (FAITH) trial completed the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, and EuroQol 5-Dimension at regular intervals for 24 months. We conducted multilevel mixed models to identify factors potentially associated with HRQL. . Results. The following were associated with lower physical HRQL: older age (-1.42 for every ten-year increase, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.17 to -0.67, p < 0.001); female gender (-1.52, 95% CI -3.00 to -0.05, p = 0.04); higher body mass index (-0.69 for every five-point increase, 95% CI -1.36 to -0.02, p = 0.04); American Society of Anesthesiologists class III (versus class I) (-3.19, 95% CI -5.73 to -0.66, p = 0.01); and sustaining a displaced fracture (-2.18, 95% CI -3.88 to -0.49, p = 0.01). Additional factors were associated with mental HRQL, hip function, and health utility. . Conclusion. We identified several baseline factors associated with lower HRQL, hip function, and utility after a femoral neck fracture. These findings may be used by clinicians to inform treatment and outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:361–9

Our aim in this pilot study was to evaluate the fixation of, the bone remodelling around, and the clinical outcome after surgery of a new, uncemented, fully hydroxyapatite-coated, collared and tapered femoral component, designed specifically for elderly patients with a fracture of the femoral neck. We enrolled 50 patients, of at least 70 years of age, with an acute displaced fracture of the femoral neck in this prospective single-series study. They received a total hip replacement using the new component and were followed up regularly for two years. Fixation was evaluated by radiostereometric analysis and bone remodelling by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Hip function and the health-related quality of life were assessed using the Harris hip score and the EuroQol-5D. Up to six weeks post-operatively there was a mean subsidence of 0.2 mm (−2.1 to +0.5) and a retroversion of a mean of 1.2° (−8.2° to +1.5°). No component migrated after three months. The patients had a continuous loss of peri-prosthetic bone which amounted to a mean of 16% (−49% to +10%) at two years. The mean Harris hip score was 82 (51 to 100) after two years. The two-year results from this pilot study indicate that this new, uncemented femoral component can be used for elderly patients with osteoporotic fractures of the femoral neck

The aim of this study was to determine the comorbid risk factors for failure in young patients who undergo fixation of a displaced fracture of the femoral neck. We identified from a prospective database all such patients ≤ 60 years of age treated with reduction and internal fixation. The main outcome measures were union, failure of fixation, nonunion and the development of avascular necrosis. There were 122 patients in the study. Union occurred in 83 patients (68%) at a mean follow-up of 58 months (18 to 155). Complications occurred in 39 patients (32%) at a mean of 11 months (0.5 to 39). The rate of nonunion was 7.4% (n = 9) and of avascular necrosis was 11.5% (n = 14). Failures were more common in patients over 40 years of age (p = 0.03). Univariate analysis identified that delay in time to fixation (> 24 hours), alcohol excess and pre-existing renal, liver or respiratory disease were all predictive of failure (all p < 0.05). Of these, alcohol excess, renal disease and respiratory disease were most predictive of failure on multivariate analysis. Younger patients with fractures of the femoral neck should be carefully evaluated for comorbidities that increase the risk of failure after reduction and fixation. In patients with a history of alcohol abuse, renal or respiratory disease, arthroplasty should be considered as an alternative treatment

Introduction. In most cases of stable type medial femoral neck fracture and some cases of dislocated medial femoral neck fracture, internal fixation was undertaken. Dual SC Screw (DSCS) System is an internal fixation device which has sliding mechanism and preventing mechanism of back out of the screw. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results and complication of medial femoral neck fracture treated with DSCS. Methods. Fifty two patients operated for fractures of the medial femoral neck with DSCS were identified as the study population. All patients followed up at least 2years. Outcome measures included the period of bone union, revision surgery, operating times and clinical symptoms and complication. Results. The average operation time was 37 minutes and 49 cased achieved union. Moreover all patients could regain the pre-injury walking ability. Three patient did not achieve union and two patients suffered displacement of reduced fracture and three patients had avascular necrosis of the femoral head. However, the cases of subtrochanteric femral fracture or the back out of the screws were not found. The mechanical tests using imitation bone showed the strength of DSCS. Conclusion. Operative treatment with internal fixation using DSCS in femoral neck fracture gives favorable results because of its strong fixation and holding function of the screw. The operative technique was simple and the DSCS thought to be a useful tool for femoral neck fracture

Introduction. More than 60% of patients presenting with a hip fracture have significant medical co-morbidities and a one year mortality rate between 14% and 47%. The rating scale for the American Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) is a reliable predictor of both surgical risk and mortality with ASA 4 patients having 100% mortality at one year.1,2. Aims. Our aim was to establish a mortality rate for fractured neck of femur patients at three months and twelve months, and to ascertain the mortality of patients with an ASA 4 grading. Ultimately, should we be operating on this high risk cohort of patients'. We also chose to analyse our current practice in the management of displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures in patients 90 years of age and over. Methods. Over 300 patients with a fractured neck of femur were identified between the 1st January 2007 and the 1st January 2008. A retrospective case note review of 151 patients was performed in conjunction with the NHS mortality database to establish whether each patient was alive or deceased. Our findings were compared to the standards set which included an overall mortality of 20% at three months, 30% at twelve months and 100% mortality for ASA 4 patients at twelve months. Results. Five patients were excluded from the study as one patient had incomplete data and four patients died prior to intended surgery. Only one of these patients had an ASA 4 grading. 146 patients were included and 23 patients (15.7%) were ASA 4. The overall mortality was 16% at three months and 23% at twelve months which was within the limits of the standards set. ASA 4 patients had a mortality of 57% at three months and 65% at twelve months which compared favourably with the limited literature available. There were 11 patients who were 90 years of age and over with intracapsular neck of femur fractures. Three of these patients were treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty and were all alive at twelve months. Conclusions. Our study demonstrates a much better mortality rate in the ASA 4 patients than the limited literature available would suggest. We believe that ASA 4 patients should continue to be offered surgical intervention and that this data provides us with information to allow the patient and family to reach an informed decision with regard to their treatment. Intracapsular neck of femur fractures in patients 90 years of age and over can be treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty provided they are deemed fit

The aim of this study was to analyse the functional outcome after a displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck in active patients aged over 70 years without osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the hip, randomised to receive either a hemiarthroplasty or a total hip replacement (THR). We studied 252 patients of whom 47 (19%) were men, with a mean age of 81.1 years (70.2 to 95.6). They were randomly allocated to be treated with either a cemented hemiarthroplasty (137 patients) or cemented THR (115 patients). At one- and five-year follow-up no differences were observed in the modified Harris hip score, revision rate of the prosthesis, local and general complications, or mortality. The intra-operative blood loss was lower in the hemiarthroplasty group (7% > 500 ml) than in the THR group (26% > 500 ml) and the duration of surgery was longer in the THR group (28% > 1.5 hours versus 12% > 1.5 hours). There were no dislocations of any bipolar hemiarthroplasty and eight dislocations of a THR during follow-up. Because of a higher intra-operative blood loss (p < 0.001), an increased duration of the operation (p < 0.001) and a higher number of early and late dislocations (p = 0.002), we do not recommend THR as the treatment of choice in patients aged ≥ 70 years with a fracture of the femoral neck in the absence of advanced radiological osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the hip

Introduction. In an ageing population the incidence of patients sustaining a neck of femur fracture is likely to rise. Whilst the neck of femur fracture is thought to be a pre-terminal event in many patients, there is little literature following this common fracture beyond 1 year. With improving healthcare and increasing survival rate, it is likely that a proportion of patients live to have subsequent fractures. However little is known about if these occur and what the epidemiology of these fractures are. Aim. To describe the epidemiology of fractures sustained over a ten year period in patients who had an “index” neck of femur fracture. Method. All patients from the Lothian region, who sustained a neck of femur fracture and were admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in Scotland between 01/01/2000 and 31/12/2000 were prospectively identified and had their orthopaedic notes and where appropriate death records retrospectively reviewed in Aug 2010, to identify further fractures and orthopaedic treatments. Patients admitted from without the Lothian region were excluded from the study. Other information regarding their pre-injury medical history, what surgery was performed, age, social status, co-morbidities and where relevant cause and date of death were recorded. Results. In the year 2000 there were 628 patients identified as having sustained a neck of femur fracture giving an incidence of 12/10,000/year. 534 (85%) of the 628 fractures were sustained by falls, with the remainder being direct trauma, pathological or an unknown cause. The mean age of patient at the time of sustaining the neck of femur fracture was 87.5 years old, with a range of 17 to 101 years old. 136 (21.7%) patients went on to sustain further fractures. The top five most frequent fractures involved the contralateral neck of femur (55; 31%), radius (34; 19%), humerus (24; 13.4%), ipsilateral femur (19; 10.6%) and tibia (10; 5.6%). 32 (23.5%) people sustained multiple fractures after the initial hip index fracture. 24% of patients had previously sustained some form of fracture prior to their index neck of femur fracture. Conclusion. Our results demonstrate that over a fifth of patients who sustain a neck of femur fracture will sustain a further fracture in the next ten years. Rather than regarding a neck of femur fracture as a terminal event, resources and support should be directed at preventing further fractures in this high risk population. As patients live longer and health care and the treatment of neck of femur fractures improves it is likely that the incidence of further fractures will rise. We believe our results will be useful for all departments treating neck of femur fractures

We have studied the effect of shortening of the femoral neck and varus collapse on the functional capacity and quality of life of patients who had undergone fixation of an isolated intracapsular fracture of the hip with cancellous screws. After screening 660 patients at four university medical centres, 70 patients with a mean age of 71 years (20 to 90) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 66% (46 of 70) of the fractures healed with > 5 mm of shortening and 39% (27 of 70) with > 5° of varus. Patients with severe shortening of the femoral neck had significantly lower short form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) physical functioning scores (no/mild (< 5 mm) vs severe shortening (> 10 mm); 74 vs 42 points, p < 0.001). A similar effect was noted with moderate shortening, suggesting a gradient effect (no/mild (< 5 mm) vs moderate shortening (5 to 10 mm); 74 vs 53 points, p = 0.011). Varus collapse correlated moderately with the occurrence of shortening (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). Shortening also resulted in a significantly lower EuroQol questionnaire (EQ5D) index scores (p = 0.05). In a regression analysis shortening of the femoral neck was the only significant variable predictive of a low SF-36 physical functioning score (p < 0.001)

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the functional and radiological outcomes in patients with a displaced fracture of the hip who were treated with a cemented or a cementless femoral stem. Patients and Methods. A four-year follow-up of a randomized controlled study included 141 patients who underwent surgery for a displaced femoral neck fracture. Patients were randomized to receive either a cemented (n = 67) or a cementless (n = 74) stem at hemiarthroplasty (HA; n = 83) or total hip arthroplasty (THA; n = 58). Results. Early differences in functional outcome, assessed using the Harris Hip Score, the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment score and EuroQol-5D, with better results in cemented group, deteriorated over time and there were no statistically significant differences at 48 months. Two (3%) patients in the cemented group and five (6.8%) in the cementless group underwent further surgery for a periprosthetic fracture. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.4). No patient underwent further surgery for instability or infection between one and four years postoperatively. The mortality and the radiological outcomes were similar in both groups. Conclusion. Patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture treated with an arthroplasty using a cemented or cementless stem had good function and few complications up to four years postoperatively. However, due to the poor short-term functional outcomes in the cementless group, the findings do not support their routine use in the treatment of these elderly patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1087–93

Background. The treatment of femoral neck fracture with internal fixation (IF) is recommended in younger patients and has compared to arthroplasty the advantage of retaining the femoral head. A big problem with osteosynthesis is though failure. Finding predictors for fixation failure is still an ongoing process and osteoporosis has been suggested as a predictor. Aim. To correlate bone mineral density (BMD) in regard to failure of IF in osteosynthesized femoral neck fractures. Material and method. In a health technology assessment study from 2005–2006 at Odense University Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, 175 patients with femoral neck fractures accepted DEXA - scanning of the hip and lumbar spine assessing BMD. Final follow-up were 01.08.2010 and 141 patients with IF comprised the final cohort. The cohort consisted of 105 females and 36 males with a mean (CI) age of 77,2 (75,4–79,0). Failure is defined as revision surgery or new fracture. Results. 69 patients had a t-score (total hip) below −2,5 SD as defined for osteoporosis. At 1 year the overall (dislocated) failure rate was 34,5 % (44,7 %), at 2 years 45,4 % (60,0 %) and at end of follow-up 49,6 % (62,8 %). In the cox regression analysis the following factors for failure were significant: dislocated fracture, osteosynthesis placement and prior fracture. There were no associations for total hip BMD, neck BMD, age, sex, quality of fracture reduction, walking disability, independent living, alcohol or smoking. A cox regression sub analysis of the undisplaced fractures showed significant result only for osteosynthesis placement. Conclusion. There is no association between BMD and failure of internal fixation in osteosynthesized femoral neck fractures