Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
Anticoagulation therapy and proximal femoral fracture treatment: An update
Ioannis Ktistakis1, Vasileios Giannoudis1, Peter V Giannoudis2
1School of Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
Insights
Elderly hip fractures are rising, often with comorbidities. Managing anticoagulation therapy in these high-risk patients remains debated, with no universal protocol for thromboprophylaxis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Geriatric medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Increasing incidence of hip fractures in the elderly population.
- Elderly patients frequently present with multiple comorbidities.
- Coagulopathies pose significant challenges in managing hip fracture patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on anticoagulation therapy in elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures.
- To discuss the ongoing debate and lack of consensus on thromboprophylaxis protocols for this high-risk group.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies concerning anticoagulation and hip fracture management.
- Analysis of existing guidelines and published protocols for thromboprophylaxis.
Main Results:
- No universal consensus exists for managing thromboprophylaxis in elderly hip fracture patients.
- Multiple attempts to establish widely accepted protocols have been published but lack universal adoption.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of anticoagulation in elderly patients with hip fractures requires further research and consensus.
- Development of standardized thromboprophylaxis protocols is crucial for this vulnerable population.
Abstract:
Hip fractures in the elderly population have become a 'disease' with increasing incidence.Most of the geriatric patients are affected by a number of comorbidities.Coagulopathies continue to be a special point of interest for the orthopaedic trauma surgeon, with the management of this high-risk group of patients a hot topic of debate among the orthopaedic community.While a universal consensus on how to manage thromboprophylaxis for this special cohort of patients has not been reached, multiple attempts to define a widely accepted protocol have been published. Cite this article: Ktistakis I, Giannoudis V, Giannoudis PV. Anticoagulation therapy and proximal femoral fracture treatment: an update. EFORT Open Rev 2016;1:310-315. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.160034.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...

