Aims. There are reports of a marked increase in perioperative mortality in patients admitted to hospital with a fractured hip during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, USA, Spain, and Italy. Our study aims to describe the risk of mortality among patients with a fractured neck of femur in England during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We completed a multicentre cohort study across ten hospitals in England. Data were collected from 1 March 2020 to 6 April 2020, during which period the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Patients ≥ 60 years of age admitted with hip fracture and a minimum follow-up of 30 days were included for analysis. Primary outcome of interest was mortality at 30 days post-surgery or postadmission in nonoperative patients. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay and discharge destination. Results. In total, 404 patients were included for final analysis with a COVID-19 diagnosis being made in 114 (28.2%) patients. Overall, 30-day mortality stood at 14.4% (n = 58). The COVID-19 cohort experienced a mortality rate of 32.5% (37/114) compared to 7.2% (21/290) in the non-COVID cohort (p < 0.001). In adjusted analysis, 30-day mortality was greatest in patients who were confirmed to have COVID-19 (odds ratio (OR) 5.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.95 to 10.80; p < 0.001) with an adjusted excess risk of 20%, male sex (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.37 to 5.29; p = 0.004) and in patients with ≥ two comorbidities (OR 4.68, CI 1.5 to 14.61; p = 0.008). Length of stay was also extended in the COVID-19 cohort, on average spending 17.6 days as an inpatient versus 12.04 days in the non-COVID-19 group (p < 0.001). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that patients who sustain a neck of femur fracture in combination with COVID-19 diagnosis have a significantly higher risk of mortality than would be normally expected. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-11:697–705

Objectives. The annual incidence of hip fracture is 620 000 in the European Union. The cost of this clinical problem has been estimated at 1.75 million disability-adjusted life years lost, equating to 1.4% of the total healthcare burden in established market economies. Recent guidance from The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) states that research into the clinical and cost effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA) as a treatment for hip fracture is a priority. We asked the question: can a trial investigating THA for hip fracture currently be delivered in the NHS?. Methods. We performed a contemporaneous process evaluation that provides a context for the interpretation of the findings of WHiTE Two – a randomised study of THA for hip fracture. We developed a mixed methods approach to situate the trial centre within the context of wider United Kingdom clinical practice. We focused on fidelity, implementation, acceptability and feasibility of both the trial processes and interventions to stakeholder groups, such as healthcare providers and patients. Results. We have shown that patients are willing to participate in this type of research and that surgeons value being part of a team that has a strong research ethos. However, surgical practice does not currently reflect NICE guidance. Current models of service delivery for hip fractures are unlikely to be able to provide timely total hip arthroplasty for suitable patients. Conclusions. Further observational research should be conducted to define the population of interest before future interventional studies are performed. Cite this article: C. Huxley, J. Achten, M. L. Costa, F. Griffiths, X. L. Griffin. A process evaluation of the WHiTE Two trial comparing total hip arthroplasty with and without dual mobility component in the treatment of displaced intracapsular fractures of the proximal femur: Can a trial investigating total hip arthroplasty for hip fracture be delivered in the NHS? Bone Joint Res 2016;5:444–452. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.510.BJR-2015-0008.R1

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

Aims

The aim of this study was to report the three-year follow-up for a series of 400 patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip, who were randomized to be treated with either a cemented polished tapered hemiarthroplasty or an uncemented hydroxyapatite-coated hemiarthroplasty.

We retrospectively reviewed 2989 consecutive patients with a mean age of 81 (21 to 105) and a female to male ratio of 5:2 who were admitted to our hip fracture unit between July 2009 and February 2013. We compared weekday and weekend admission and weekday and weekend surgery 30-day mortality rates for hip fractures treated both surgically and conservatively. After adjusting for confounders, weekend admission was independently and significantly associated with a rise in 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 1.9; p = 0.039) for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. There was no increase in mortality associated with weekend surgery (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.7; p = 0.39). All hip fracture patients, whether managed surgically or conservatively, were more likely to die as an inpatient when admitted at the weekend (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.80; p = 0.032), despite our unit having a comparatively low overall inpatient mortality (8.7%). Hip fracture patients admitted over the weekend appear to have a greater risk of death despite having a consultant-led service. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:373–8

Aims. We aimed to characterise the effect of expeditious hip fracture surgery in elderly patients within 24 hours of admission on short-term post-operative outcomes. Patients and Methods. Patients age 65 or older that underwent surgery for closed femoral neck and intertrochanteric hip fractures were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program between 2011 and 2014. Multivariable propensity-adjusted logistic regressions were performed to determine associations between early surgery within 24 hours and post-operative complications, controlling for selection bias in patients undergoing early surgery based on observable characteristics. Results. A total of 26 051 patients were included in the study; 5921 (22.7%) had surgery within 24 hours of admission, while 20 130 (77.3%) patients had surgery after 24 hours. Propensity-adjusted multivariable logistic regressions demonstrated that surgery within 24 hours was independently associated with lower odds of respiratory complications including pneumonia, failure to extubate, or reintubation (odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67 to 0.90), and extended length of stay (LOS) defined as ≥ 6 days (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.90). Conclusion. In elderly patients with hip fractures, early surgery within 24 hours of admission is independently associated with less pulmonary complications including pneumonia, failure to extubate, and reintubation, as well as shorter LOS. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1216–22

Aims. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is gaining popularity as a treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs), especially in physiologically younger patients. While THA for osteoarthritis (OA) has demonstrated low complication rates and increased quality of life, results of THA for acute FNF are not as clear. Currently, a THA performed for FNF is included in an institutional arthroplasty bundle without adequate risk adjustment, potentially placing centres participating in fracture care at financial disadvantage. The purpose of this study is to report on perioperative complication rates after THA for FNF compared with elective THA performed for OA of the hip. Patients and Methods. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database between 2008 and 2016 was queried. Patients were identified using the THA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code and divided into groups by diagnosis: OA in one and FNF in another. Univariate statistics were performed. Continuous variables were compared between groups using Student’s t-test, and the chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables. Multivariate and propensity-matched logistic regression analyses were performed to control for risk factors of interest. Results. Analyses included 139 635 patients undergoing THA. OA was the indication in 135 013 cases and FNF in 4622 cases. After propensity matching, mortality within 30 days (1.8% vs 0.3%; p < 0.001) and major morbidity (24.2% vs 19%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher among FNF patients. Re-operation (3.7% vs 2.7%; p = 0.014) and re-admission (7.3% vs 5.5%; p = 0.002) were significantly higher among FNF patients. Hip fracture patients had significantly longer operative time and length of stay (LOS), and were significantly less likely to be discharged to their home. Multivariate analyses gave similar results. Conclusion. This large database study showed a higher risk of postoperative complications including mortality, major morbidity, re-operation, re-admission, prolonged operative time, increased LOS, and decreased likelihood of discharge home in patients undergoing THA for FNF compared with OA. While THA is a good option for FNF patients, there are increased costs and financial risks to centres with a joint arthroplasty bundle programme participating in fracture care. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B(6 Supple B):84–90

Aims. Our aim was to examine the Elixhauser and Charlson comorbidity indices, based on administrative data available before surgery, and to establish their predictive value for mortality for patients who underwent hip arthroplasty in the management of a femoral neck fracture. Patients and Methods. We analyzed data from 42 354 patients from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register between 2005 and 2012. Only the first operated hip was included for patients with bilateral arthroplasty. We obtained comorbidity data by linkage from the Swedish National Patient Register, as well as death dates from the national population register. We used univariable Cox regression models to predict mortality based on the comorbidity indices, as well as multivariable regression with age and gender. Predictive power was evaluated by a concordance index, ranging from 0.5 to 1 (with the higher value being the better predictive power). A concordance index less than 0.7 was considered poor. We used bootstrapping for internal validation of the results. Results. The predictive power of mortality was poor for both the Elixhauser and Charlson comorbidity indices (concordance indices less than 0.7). The Charlson Comorbidity Index was superior to Elixhauser, and a model with age and gender was superior to both indices. Conclusion. Preoperative comorbidity from administrative data did not predict mortality for patients with a hip fracture treated by arthroplasty. This was true even if association on group level existed

Objectives. The Sliding Hip Screw (SHS) is commonly used to treat trochanteric hip fractures. Fixation failure is a devastating complication requiring complex revision surgery. One mode of fixation failure is lag screw cut-out which is greatest in unstable fracture patterns and when the tip-apex distance of the lag screw is > 25 mm. The X-Bolt Dynamic Hip Plating System (X-Bolt Orthopaedics, Dublin, Ireland) is a new device which aims to reduce this risk of cut-out. However, some surgeons have reported difficulty minimising the tip-apex distance with subsequent concerns that this may lead to an increased risk of cut-out. Patients and Methods. We measured the tip-apex distance from the intra-operative radiographs of 93 unstable trochanteric hip fractures enrolled in a randomised controlled trial (Warwick Hip Trauma Evaluation, WHiTE One trial). Participants were treated with either the sliding hip screw or the X-Bolt dynamic hip plating system. We also recorded the incidence of cut-out in both groups, at a median follow-up time of 17 months. Results. There was a significantly increased tip-apex distance with the use of the X-Bolt (mean difference 3.7mm (95% confidence interval 1.58 to 5.73); SHS mean 17.1 mm, X-Bolt mean 20.8; p = 0.001. However, this was not associated with an increased incidence of cut-out at a median follow-up time of 17 months, with three cut-outs (6%) in the SHS group and 0 (0%) in the X-Bolt group. Conclusion. The X-Bolt is a safe implant with no increased risk for cut-out. Concerns about minimising the tip-apex distance may be justified but do not appear to be clinically important. Cite this article: M. A. Fernandez, A. Aquilina, J. Achten, N. Parsons, M. L. Costa, X. L. Griffin. The tip-apex distance in the X-Bolt dynamic plating system. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:–207. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.64.BJR-2015-0016.R2

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.

Aims

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) with dual-mobility components (DM-THA) has been shown to decrease the risk of dislocation in the setting of a displaced neck of femur fracture compared to conventional single-bearing THA (SB-THA). This study assesses if the clinical benefit of a reduced dislocation rate can justify the incremental cost increase of DM-THA compared to SB-THA.

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.

Our aim was to determine the effect of delay to surgery on the time to discharge, in-hospital death, the presence of major and minor medical complications and the incidence of pressure sores in patients with a fracture of the hip. All patients admitted to Vancouver General Hospital with this injury between 1998 and 2001 inclusive were identified from our trauma registry. A review of the case notes was performed to determine the delay in time from admission to surgery, age, gender, type of fracture and medical comorbidities. A time-to-event analysis was performed for length of stay. Additionally, a Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the effect of delay to surgery on the length of stay while controlling for other pertinent confounding factors. Using logistical regression we determined the effect of delay to surgery on in-hospital death, medical complications and the presence of pressure sores, while controlling for confounding factors.

Delay to surgery (p = 0.0255), comorbidity (p < 0.0001), age (p < 0.0001) and type of fracture (p = 0.0004) were all significant in the Cox proportional hazards model for increased time to discharge. Delay to surgery was not a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality. However, a delay of more than 24 hours was a significant predictor of a minor medical complication (odds ratio (OR) 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 to 2.22), while a delay of more than 48 hours was associated with an increased risk of a major medical complication (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.34), a minor medical complication (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.38 to 3.72) and of pressure sores (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.19 to 4.40).

Patients with a fracture of the hip should have surgery early to lessen the time to acute-care hospital discharge and to minimise the risk of complications.