[EEG findings in hip fracture of the elderly]

Twenty three patients with hip fractures, over 70 years old of age, who had surgical treatment and medical rehabilitation in the Yokufukai Geriatric Hospital were studied to evaluate changes of EEG findings at the time of hip fracture. In all cases, the pre-fracture ambulation status were independent. EEG findings were graded as normal, abnormal (minor degree, moderate-to-severe degree) and states of ambulation after hip fracture were graded good or poor. Good ambulation was defined as total independence and poor ambulation was defined as dependent on assistance or bedridden. In 11 cases of good ambulation, nine had an EEG which was normal or abnormal to a minor degree during pre- and post-fracture periods. In 12 cases of poor ambulation, seven had an EEG which was normal or abnormal to a minor degree in the pre-fracture period, but in the post-fracture period, only two of them were in the same grade and five showed moderate-to-severe abnormal EEG findings. Five out of 12 cases of poor ambulation demonstrated moderate-to-severe EEG abnormality in pre- and post-fracture periods. The present study suggests that the response to hip fractures in the elderly are divided into two types based on their brain functions. One group can maintain good brain function immediately after hip fractures, while the other can not maintain sufficient brain function and lose their ambulatory ability.