Aims

In UK there are around 76,000 hip fractures occur each year 10% to 15% of which are undisplaced intracapsular. There is considerable debate whether internal fixation is the most appropriate treatment for undisplaced fractures in older patients. This study describes cannulated hip screws survivorship analysis for patients aged ≥ 60 years with undisplaced intra-capsular fractures.

Aims. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the mortality, morbidity, and functional outcomes of cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of intracapsular hip fractures, analyzing contemporary and non-contemporary implants separately. Methods. PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were searched to 2 February 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the primary outcome, mortality, and secondary outcomes of function, quality of life, reoperation, postoperative complications, perioperative outcomes, pain, and length of hospital stay. Relative risks (RRs) and mean differences (with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)) were used as summary association measures. Results. A total of 18 studies corresponding to 16 non-overlapping RCTs with a total of 2,819 intracapsular hip fractures were included. Comparing contemporary cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty, RRs (95% CIs) for mortality were 1.32 (0.44 to 3.99) perioperatively, 1.01 (0.48 to 2.10) at 30 days, and 0.90 (0.71 to 1.15) at one year. The use of contemporary cemented hemiarthroplasty reduced the risk of intra- and postoperative periprosthetic fracture. There were no significant differences in the risk of other complications, function, pain, and quality of life. There were no significant differences in perioperative outcomes except for increases in operating time and overall anaesthesia for contemporary cemented hemiarthroplasty with mean differences (95% CIs) of 6.67 (2.65 to 10.68) and 4.90 (2.02 to 7.78) minutes, respectively. The morbidity and mortality outcomes were not significantly different between non-contemporary cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty. Conclusion. There are no differences in the risk of mortality when comparing the use of contemporary cemented with uncemented hemiarthroplasty in the management of intracapsular hip fractures. Contemporary cemented hemiarthroplasty is associated with a substantially lower risk of intraoperative and periprosthetic fractures. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(9):1113–1121

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of cemented hemiarthroplasty (HA) versus hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented HA for the treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in older adults. Methods. A within-trial economic evaluation was conducted based on data collected from the World Hip Trauma Evaluation 5 (WHiTE 5) multicentre randomized controlled trial in the UK. Resource use was measured over 12 months post-randomization using trial case report forms and participant-completed questionnaires. Cost-effectiveness was reported in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from the NHS and personal social service perspective. Methodological uncertainty was addressed using sensitivity analysis, while decision uncertainty was represented graphically using confidence ellipses and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Results. The base-case analysis showed that cemented implants were cost-saving (mean cost difference -£961 (95% confidence interval (CI) -£2,292 to £370)) and increased QALYs (mean QALY difference 0.010 (95% CI 0.002 to 0.017)) when compared to uncemented implants. The probability of the cemented implant being cost-effective approximated between 95% and 97% at alternative cost-effectiveness thresholds held by decision-makers, and its net monetary benefit was positive. The findings remained robust against all the pre-planned sensitivity analyses. Conclusion. This study shows that cemented HA is cost-effective compared with hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented HA in older adults with displaced intracapsular hip fractures. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(8):922–928

Aims. To compare the cost-effectiveness of high-dose, dual-antibiotic cement versus single-antibiotic cement for the treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in older adults. Methods. Using data from a multicentre randomized controlled trial (World Hip Trauma Evaluation 8 (WHiTE-8)) in the UK, a within-trial economic evaluation was conducted. Resource usage was measured over 120 days post randomization, and cost-effectiveness was reported in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), gained from the UK NHS and personal social services (PSS) perspective in the base-case analysis. Methodological uncertainty was addressed using sensitivity analysis, while decision uncertainty was handled using confidence ellipses and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Results. The base-case analysis showed that high-dose, dual-antibiotic cement had a significantly higher mean cost (£224 (95% confidence interval (CI) -408 to 855)) and almost the same QALYs (0.001 (95% CI -0.002 to 0.003)) relative to single-antibiotic cement from the UK NHS and PSS perspective. The probability of the high-dose, dual-antibiotic cement being cost-effective was less than 0.3 at alternative cost-effectiveness thresholds, and its net monetary benefit was negative. This finding remained robust in the sensitivity analyses. Conclusion. This study shows that high-dose, dual-antibiotic cement is unlikely to be cost-effective compared to single-antibiotic cement for the treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in older adults. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(10):1070–1077

Introduction. Intracapsular hip fractures in young adults are treated with internal fixation, often as a surgical emergency to reduce the vascular insult to the femoral head. Avascular necrosis and non-union often require revision surgery. Methods. A prospective trauma database was retrospectively searched from 1. st. August 2008 to 31. st. December 2010. Intracapsular hip fracture admissions to the Regional Trauma Centre, in adults under sixty-five years, were studied. Ninety-eight intracapsular fractures internally fixed with sliding hip screw underwent radiographic review for quality of fixation, and evidence of complications at a mean of thirteen months. Co-morbid medical conditions and quality of fixation were assessed for association with revision rates. Results. Avascular necrosis developed in eighteen fractures, and seven proceeded to non-union. Seventeen of ninety-eight fractures underwent revision to total hip arthroplasty. Three individuals were deceased at final review. Six of thirty-four fractures (18%) fixed within twelve hours of injury required revision, compared with eleven of sixty-four (17%) fixed after twelve hours. None of the four fractures fixed within six hours required revision, although this was not statistically significant (p=0.32). Revision was required for three of six individuals with chronic respiratory disease (50%) excluding asthma, one of two with rheumatoid arthritis (50%), and three of six with varus reduction (50%), and each were significant on multiple regression. Residual translation and eccentric screw placement approached significance on chi-squared analysis. Only two of twenty (10%) fractures fixed using an additional anti-rotation screw required revision. Conclusions. Internal fixation of intracapsular hip fractures within twelve hours in young adults did not statistically reduce revision rates. Accurate reduction and internal fixation is paramount, and anti-rotation screws may reduce complication rates. Certain co-morbid conditions predict revision, and should be taken into consideration when selecting the primary operative procedure

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines from 2011 recommend the use of cemented hemi-arthroplasty for appropriate patients with an intracapsular hip fracture. In our institution all patients who were admitted with an intracapsular hip fracture and were suitable for a hemi-arthroplasty between April 2010 and July 2012 received an uncemented prosthesis according to our established departmental routine practice. A retrospective analysis of outcome was performed to establish whether the continued use of an uncemented stem was justified. Patient, surgical and outcome data were collected on the National Hip Fracture database. A total of 306 patients received a Cathcart modular head on a Corail uncemented stem as a hemi-arthroplasty. The mean age of the patients was 83.3 years (. sd. 7.56; 46.6 to 94) and 216 (70.6%) were women. The mortality rate at 30 days was 5.8%. A total of 46.5% of patients returned to their own home by 30 days, which increased to 73.2% by 120 days. The implant used as a hemi-arthroplasty for intracapsular hip fracture provided satisfactory results, with a good rate of return to pre-injury place of residence and an acceptable mortality rate. Surgery should be performed by those who are familiar with the design of the stem and understand what is required for successful implantation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1538–43

Aims. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of reoperation (all cause and specifically for periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF)) and mortality, and associated risk factors, following a hemiarthroplasty incorporating a cemented collarless polished taper slip stem (PTS) for management of an intracapsular hip fracture. Methods. This retrospective study included hip fracture patients aged 50 years and older treated with Exeter (PTS) bipolar hemiarthroplasty between 2019 and 2022. Patient demographics, place of domicile, fracture type, delirium status, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, length of stay, and mortality were collected. Reoperation and mortality were recorded up to a median follow-up of 29.5 months (interquartile range 12 to 51.4). Cox regression was performed to evaluate independent risk factors associated with reoperation and mortality. Results. The cohort consisted of 1,619 patients with a mean age of 82.2 years (50 to 104), of whom 1,100 (67.9%) were female. In total, 29 patients (1.8%) underwent a reoperation; 12 patients (0.7%) sustained a PFF during the observation period (United Classification System (UCS)-A n = 2; UCS-B n = 5; UCS-C n = 5), of whom ten underwent surgical management. Perioperative delirium was independently associated with the occurrence of PFF (hazard ratio (HR) 5.92; p = 0.013) and surgery for UCS-B PFF (HR 21.7; p = 0.022). Neither all-cause reoperation nor PFF-related surgery was independently associated with mortality (HR 0.66; p = 0.217 and HR 0.38; p = 0.170, respectively). Perioperative delirium, male sex, older age, higher ASA grade, and pre-fracture residential status were independently associated with increased mortality risk following hemiarthroplasty (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The cumulative incidence of PFF at four years was 1.1% in elderly patients following cemented PTS hemiarthroplasty for a hip fracture. Perioperative delirium was independently associated with a PFF. However, reoperation for PPF was not independently associated with patient mortality after adjusting for patient-specific factors. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(4):269–276

Aims: To explore potential predictors of functional outcome one year after the injury in elderly women who sustained a displaced intracapsular hip fracture and who were treated with internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, or total hip arthroplasty. Methods: Eighty-four women aged > 50 years were enrolled on a consecutive basis in this one-year prospective cohort study reflecting standard day-to-day clinical practice. The main outcome measure was the Rapid Disability Rating Scale version-2 applied at hospital discharge and one year later. Results: The total hip arthroplasty group was younger (p< 0.001) and had a better functional status than the internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty groups (p< 0.001) at hospital discharge. One year later, the best function was still observed in the total arthroplasty group, but the differences were small and failed to achieve the level of statistical significance. During that one-year period, walking ability or mobility did not change significantly after total hip arthroplasty, but a significant proportion of the women developed cognitive impairment, including mental confusion, uncooperativeness, and depression (p< 0.001). Overall, the most significant predictors of poor functional status one year after fracture were increasing age (p=0.005), living in an institution at time of injury (p=0.034), and poor functional status at discharge (p< 0.001). Conclusions: In elderly women with a displaced intra-capsular hip fracture, total hip arthroplasty is associated with a functional benefit within the first months after surgery. However, the extent to which this functional benefit is maintained over time, is less clear. Our results support the need for randomised clinical trials among elderly women with a displaced intracapsular hip fracture to quantify the extent to which the early functional benefit of total hip arthroplasty is maintained in the long run or compromised by progressive cognitive impairment and other negative determinants of functional outcome

Evidence suggests as little as 32percnt; of those with a displaced intracapsular hip fracture who meet the NICE eligibility criteria currently undergo a total hip replacement (THR). The reason for this discrepancy is not clear. This study therefore set out to examine the reasons behind this lack of adherence to these guidelines through the use of a questionnaire to current Trauma & Orthopaedic surgery consultants across Scotland. An invitation to take part in the survey was distributed through the Scottish Committee for Orthopaedics & Trauma (SCOT) email address list. A series of 10 questions were designed to determine the background of participants, their experience at performing hip fracture surgery (including THR) and their thoughts regarding its use in the hip fracture setting. Results were collated at the end of the study period and quantitatively analysed where possible. There were 91 responses in total. 53percnt; of individuals said they would offer those meeting the NICE criteria a THR less than 76percnt; of the time. The most commonly used alternative was a cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty (51percnt;). Hip surgeons were more likely to perform or supervise THR for hip fracture than non-hip surgeons (p<0.0001). There were a wide variety of reasons why people would not offer a THR including dislocation rate, technical complexity and inadequate evidence for use. Overall this study highlights current trends and barriers in the provision of THR to hip fracture patients. This knowledge can be used to ascertain research priorities to maximise the quality of care in this setting

Current evidence suggests that we should be moving away from Thompson's hemiarthroplasties for patients with intracapsular hip fractures. Furthermore, the use of cement when inserting these prostheses is controversial. This study aims to show the Inverness experience. We performed a retrospective review of all NHS Highland patients who underwent a hemiarthroplasty for an intracapsular neck of femur fracture over the last 15 years. Demographics and the use of cement were documented. Further analysis of this group was performed to identify any of these patients who required revision of their prosthesis. Patients requiring revision had their case-notes reviewed to identify the cause for further surgery. From 1996 until present 2221 patients from the Highland area had a hemiarthroplasty for an intracapsular neck of femur fracture. 1708 where female (77%) and 513 male (23%). The ages ranged from 28 years to 104 years (mean 80 years, median 81). 2180 of this group had their operations in Raigmore Hospital with the remaining 41 at various centres throughout Scotland. 623 (28%)had a cemented hemiarthroplasty, with the remaining 1578 (72%) having an uncemented Thompson's hemiarthroplasty. The revision rate for the cemented group was 2% (13 of 623 patients). In the uncemented group it was 0.4% (6 of 1578). Reasons from revision included dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, infection and pain. Current evidence from some joint registers regarding the use of Thompson's hemiarthroplasty in the elderly is discouraging. The use of bone cement in this group with multiple co-morbidities is not without it's risks. Our data suggests that uncemented Thompson's hemiarthroplasties in low demand elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities can yield excellent results with less risk to the patients

We report a randomised prospective trial of the early results of three types of treatment for displaced intracapsular hip fractures. We used a questionnaire sent to patients at about six months (Nottingham Health Profile, NHP) in addition to clinical assessments. There was a 67.4% usable response to the questionnaire, similar to that in other studies using the NHP. There were more responders from younger patients, those walking independently before injury and those with higher mental test scores on admission. In the younger group (65 to 79 years) we found a trend for better scores in most NHP indices after the use of a bipolar prosthesis rather than a unipolar prosthesis or internal fixation, particularly for social function, pain and physical mobility. Postal assessment using the NHP gave a satisfactory response rate even in the elderly, and can provide an extra assessment to complement or replace hospital follow-up in some circumstances

We undertook a prospective randomised controlled trial involving 400 patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip to determine whether there was any difference in outcome between treatment with a cemented Thompson hemiarthroplasty and an uncemented Austin-Moore prosthesis. The surviving patients were followed up for between two and five years by a nurse blinded to the type of prosthesis used.

The mean age of the patients was 83 years (61 to 104) and 308 (77%) were women. The degree of residual pain was less in those treated with a cemented prosthesis (p < 0.0001) three months after surgery. Regaining mobility was better in those treated with a cemented implant (p = 0.005) at six months after operation. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to mortality, implant-related complications, re-operations or post-operative medical complications.

The use of a cemented Thompson hemiarthroplasty resulted in less pain and less deterioration in mobility than an uncemented Austin-Moore prosthesis with no increase in complications.

Aim

This paper describes the methods applied to assess the cost-effectiveness of cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty among hip fracture patients in the World Hip Trauma Evaluation Five (WHiTE5) trial.

Introduction

Intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in young adults are a surgical emergency. Recent literature reviews have questioned whether the timing of surgery reduces the incidence of avascular necrosis, non-union and revision.

A study was performed to determine how many patients met a 12-hour target for operative fixation with this injury. Possible sources of delay to theatre were reviewed.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the failure rate among different fixation devices for undisplaced fracture neck of femur. All 52 patients with Garden I and II hip fractures who underwent surgery in a teaching hospital in London from January 2007 to June 2012 were included. Electronic patient records were accessed to collect the patient data.

There were 52% females and the mean age of patients was 70 years. Thirty patients had cannulated screws, 18 – dynamic hip screw (DHS) with de-rotation screw and 4 had DHS alone. Initial results showed that 36% patients had re-operation. 7(77%) had total hip replacement and 1(11%) had metal work removal. The reason for revision was failure of fixation in 8 (88%) and avascular necrosis in 1 (11%). There was significantly higher failure rate in the DHS with derotation screw group (50%) compared to the cannulated screw group (35%) and the DHS alone group (0%). Average time to planned revision was 11.1 months.

Traditionally undisplaced intra capsular hip fractures are treated by in-situ fixation using different devices. Biomechanically DHS with de-rotation screw achieves better rotational and axial stability compared to other fixation devices. However, our study showed a higher failure rate in this group. Inability to achieve a perfectly parallel screw position seems to be a significant factor responsible for high failure. Higher failure rates with fixation may boost the role of replacement arthroplasty as one off surgical treatment in elderly patients.

In Displaced Intracapsular Hip Fractures (ICHF) in young active patients, preservation of the femoral head and its blood supply are of high importance and urgent surgical treatment with anatomic reduction and internal fixation is the preferred intervention. Due to the strong varus displacement shear forces exerted across the hip, there are relatively high complication rates after fixation. There is no consensus regarding the optimal fixation device or technique. This retrospective study compared closed reduction internal fixation method using cannulated cancellous screw (CCS) with the Targon Femoral Neck (TFN) hip fixed angle screw. Data regarding, gender, operational data, duration of surgery, complications, NAS (Numerical Analogue Scale) pain score, Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) and SF-12 scores were retrieved for patients younger than 65 with displaced ICHF. Eighty-two patients were included in the study, 30 patients treated with CCS were compared to 52 patients treated with TFN. Fracture configuration (Garden and Pauwel classifications), mean time to surgery and complication rate did not differ significantly. Operative time did differ significantly between groups (CCS 56 minutes, TFN 92 minutes, p<0.001). At final follow-up the CCS group reported less pain (NAS 2.3 vs 3.5, p< 0.049) and better Mental Health Composite score of SF-12 (p=0.017) compared to the TFN group. Complication rates for the treatment of displaced ICHF with TFN and CCS showed no significant differences; however, the functional outcomes, as presented by the NAS and Mental Health Composite score of SF-12, showed superiority for CCS treatment. As this fixation method is related to reduce costs, we suggest CCS for the treatment of displaced ICHF in the young population.

To compare the incidence of Bone Cement Implantation Syndrome (BCIS), perioperative thromboembolic events and mortality in patients with a femoral neck fracture (FNF) treated with a hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA) without intraoperative unfractioned heparin (UFH) (control) versus a group of patients who received intraoperative UFH before femoral cementation.

We retrospectively reviewed 273 patients who underwent hybrid THA due to a FNF between 2015 and 2020. We compared a group of 139 patients without intraoperative administration of UFH (group A) with 134 patients who underwent THA with intraoperative administration of 10 UI/kg UFH (group B). UFH indication was dependent on surgeon´s preference. We assessed the advent of BCIS and 30-day thromboembolic events, as well as 90-day and 1-year mortality.

BCIS was observed in 51 cases (18%), defined as Grade 1 (O2% < 94% or fall in systolic blood pressure of 20% to 40%) in 37 cases (13%) and Grade 2 (O2% < 88% or fall in systolic blood pressure of > 40%) in 14 cases (5%). Forty-seven BCIS (35%) were observed in the group that received UFH and 4 BCIS (3%) in the control group (p <0.001). Multivariate regression model showed that intraoperative UFH (OR=18, CI95% 6–52) and consumption of oral anticoagulants (OR=3.3, CI95% 1–10) had an increased risk of developing BCIS. Five patients developed a pulmonary embolism in the UFH group while 2 patients presented this complication in the non UFH group (p=0.231). Mortality was 1% for both groups at 90 days PO (p= 0.98), 2% at 1 year for group A and 3% for group B (p =0.38).

BCIS in our series was 18%. We found a paradoxically 17-fold significant increase of BCIS with the use of UFH. Heparin did not prevent BCIS, thromboembolic events and mortality in this group of patients.