Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Proximal Cadaveric Femur Preparation for Fracture Strength Testing and Quantitative CT-based Finite Element Analysis
Published on: March 11, 2017
Nutritional differences in patients with proximal femoral fractures
N Maffulli1, T W Dougall, M T Brown
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Aberdeen Medical School, Scotland, UK. n.maffulli@abdn.ac.uk
Background:
The reason why elderly human hips tend to break in one of two anatomical regions is uncertain. Nutritional factors may affect the site of fracture.
Objective:
To assess possible nutritional differences in patients with proximal femoral fractures.
Design:
Prospective observational cohort study.
Setting:
University teaching hospital.
Subjects:
119 consecutive patients over the age of 65 with a hip fracture admitted to the trauma wards in a single centre.
Methods:
One researcher measured triceps, biceps and supra-iliac skinfold thickness, and mid upper arm circumference on admission and on the fifth post-operative day. Body mass index was calculated for each patient, and used to classify patients as severely, moderately or mildly malnourished, normal, overweight or obese. Logistic regression was used to determine the influence of various factors on fracture site.
Results:
According to their body mass index, 31% of patients were classified as malnourished and 11% as severely malnourished. Patients with intracapsular fractures were significantly more malnourished than patients with trochanteric fractures (P < 0.008). Nutritional status was not related to post-operative complications. Ability to weigh a patient on the fifth post-operative day was the single most important prognostic indicator for complications.
Conclusions:
Patients with intracapsular fractures are more malnourished. Those with trochanteric fractures tend to be overweight.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:16Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella