Austin-moore hemiarthroplasty; the Enugu experience

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Femoral neck fractures are prevalent in the elderly, often associated with comorbidities and resulting from minor falls.
• Early mobilization is crucial to prevent complications in this demographic.
• Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty (AMH) is a surgical option for managing these fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical experience and outcomes of Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty (AMH) for treating femoral neck fractures over a 10-year period.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of hospital records for 46 patients who underwent AMH between 1995 and 2004.
• Exclusion of 13 patients with incomplete medical records.

Main Results:

• The study included patients aged 26-99 years (mean 67.2), with a female preponderance (F:M = 1.1:1). Most patients were over 60.
• Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (76%). Most fractures resulted from domestic falls (54.3%) or road traffic accidents (32%).
• 58.7% of patients mobilized within 2-3 weeks, 80% walked with a stick by 6 weeks, and 87% by 12 weeks. Wound infection was the most common complication (26.1%).

Conclusions:

• Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty is a viable treatment for femoral neck fractures in the elderly, facilitating early mobilization and functional recovery.
• While complications like wound infection can occur, AMH demonstrates acceptable outcomes in this patient population.
• Improved patient follow-up strategies are needed to better assess long-term results.