A Prospective Case Series - Study of Neck of Femur Fractures in Elderly Patients with Pre-operative Urinary Tract...

The annual incidence of fractured neck of femur in the elderly continues to rise year after year. Longer lifespan also contributes to the increase in the incidence of fracture neck of femur. Contributing factors include genetic factors, reduced bone mineral density, physical inactivity, aging population, and environmental factors such as diet and vitamin D levels. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in elderly population, especially females with associated risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, malnutrition, immunosuppression, and malignancies.

A series of 10 cases of either gender above 55 years with fractured neck of femur associated with UTI were included in the study. All patients were clinically assessed for UTI supported with laboratory evidence of urine cultures followed by medical management for control of UTI, before surgery. Patient was operated using cemented modular bipolar prosthesis with antibiotic bone cement for femoral stem implantation only after the infection was under control.

Diagnosis and control of UTI are of utmost importance before operating patients with fracture neck of femur with hemiarthroplasty.