Hip fractures: public perceptions

Hip fractures are common injuries in elderly patients presenting to the trauma surgeon. Mortality following such injuries approaches 10% at one month, rising to 30% at one year. Of those who survive, most experience a decrease in mobility and independence. The authors believe that the general public are not aware of these facts and in particular do not perceive hip fractures to be injuries of serious consequence.

This study aims to assess the perception of hip fractures amongst the general public. Subjects were recruited from a population attending a general orthopaedic clinic in a district general hospital during March 2008. All participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire relating to their perception of hip fracture epidemiology, aetiology, presentation, treatment and both physical and social outcomes.

A total of 142 people completed a questionnaire. Of those, 27 (19%) had been filled out by either hip fracture patients or their relatives. A significant majority of subjects underestimated both the hospital length of stay and mortality figures; however, most people did know that some form of surgery would be required.

This study underlines the need for detailed counselling of the patient and relatives following a hip fracture in order to create realistic expectations and to allow those involved to prepare for potential outcomes. Written patient information may also be useful to allow patients and relatives the opportunity to digest relevant information and to pose questions relating to what they have read.