Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2025

Method and Instrumented Fixture for Femoral Fracture Testing in a Sideways Fall-on-the-Hip Position
Published on: August 17, 2017
[Translated article] Concurrent upper limb and hip fracture in the elderly: Experience at our centre
Laura Del Baño-Barragán1, Álvaro Martínez-García1, Daniel Garríguez-Pérez1
1Departamento de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Ortogeriatría, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Introduction:
The incidence of hip fracture in the elderly is on the rise, occasionally accompanied by concurrent upper limb fractures. Our investigation aims to determine whether these patients experience poorer functional outcomes, prolonged hospitalisation, or higher mortality rates when compared to those with isolated hip fracture.
Material And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 1088 elderly patients admitted to our centre with hip fracture between January 2017 and March 2020. We recorded the presence of concomitant fractures and their treatment. We analysed the duration of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality and function.
Results:
We identified 63 patients with concomitant upper limb fracture (5.6%). Among them, 93.7% were women, and the average age was 86.4 years. 80.9% of the upper limb fractures were distal radius or proximal humerus. Patients with concomitant fracture had increased length of stay (mean, 19.6 vs. 12.8, p=0.002), decreased proportion of patients returning to their own home at discharge (23.6% vs. 26.3%, p=0.042) and increased in-hospital mortality rate (9.5% vs. 5.9%, p=0.003).
Conclusions:
Patients with concomitant upper limb fracture require a longer length of stay and exhibit an elevated in-hospital mortality rate. Furthermore, this condition is associated with a reduced short-term functional recovery, thereby decreasing the chances of the patient returning home upon hospital discharge.
Related Concept Videos
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula

