We compared 5341 patients with an initial fracture
of the hip with 633 patients who sustained a second fracture of the
contralateral hip. Patients presenting with a second fracture were
more likely to be institutionalised, female, older, and have lower
mobility and mental test scores. There was no significant difference
between the two groups with regards to the change in the level of
mobility or return to their original residence at one year follow-up. However,
the mortality rate in the second fracture group was significantly
higher at one year (31.6% This is the largest study to investigate the outcome of patients
who sustain a second contralateral hip fracture. Despite the higher
mortality rate at one year, the outcome for surviving patients is
not significantly different from those after initial hip fractures.