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Functional results after treatment of hip fracture: a multicentre, prospective study in 215 patients
V C Koot1, P H Peeters, J R de Jong
1Julius Center for Patient Oriented Research, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Objective:
To find out which factors influence outcome after a fractured hip, so that the optimum treatment may be chosen for each patient.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
3 teaching and 2 rural hospitals, The Netherlands.
Subjects:
215 patients aged 55-102 years (median 82) who presented with a fractured hip during 1994.
Interventions:
Interviews shortly after the injury and 4 and 12 months later, study of radiographs, and evaluation of casenotes.
Main Outcome Measures:
Mobility and functional recovery.
Results:
38 patients had died by the 4-month follow up, at which time 64/177 (36%) had regained the level of mobility that they had before the injury. At 12 months the figure was 58/148 (39%). The corresponding figures for functional recovery were 52/177 (29%) and 36/148 (24%). Factors that militated against recovery were increasing age, coexisting diseases, general complications and local complications.
Conclusions:
The chance of a patient with a hip fracture making any further recovery after 4 months is minimal. Local complications are the most important risk factor.