Hemiarthroplasty is an effective surgical method to manage unstable trochanteric fractures in elderly people

Trochanteric femoral fractures are a major problem in the elderly because of higher bone fragility due to osteoporosis. Numerous chronic illnesses, which usually affect the elderly, aggravate and complicate their surgical treatment. Trochanteric femoral fractures results in high morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable trochanteric femoral fractures in elderly patients. Between 2000 and 2005, 50 patients with unstable trochanteric femoral fractures (41 women) aged 75 to 92 years (mean 86 years) underwent cemented hemiarthroplasty. The surgical procedure was performed within first 48 hours after the fracture (out of which 14 in the first 12 hours, 27 in the first 24 hours and 9 in the first 48 hours), with minimal blood loss. Hemiarthroplasty was indicated in patients where stability was important to allow early mobilization. In forty patients (80%) early ambulation with full weight bearing was achieved during the short period of hospitalization (9-14 days). Given that the affected population is predominantly the elderly, who are less mobile and demanding and thus put less strain on the endoprosthesis, we believe that this kind of treatment is the treatment of choice for unstable trochanteric femoral fractures in these patients. This assumption is corroborated by the fact that we did not have any endoprosthesis luxation, apparent acetabular protrusion or instability during the mean follow up period of 15 months (range 12-18 months).