Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
06:58
Method and Instrumented Fixture for Femoral Fracture Testing in a Sideways Fall-on-the-Hip Position
Published on: August 17, 2017
Proximal and Distal Femoral Fracture. A Longitudinal Retrospective Survival Analysis
David Briz1,2, Carmen da Casa1, José M de Haro3
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontifical University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Distal femur fractures show higher short-term mortality compared to proximal fractures, but fracture type is not an independent predictor of long-term survival. Rurality impacts survival rates in elderly patients with femoral fractures.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Geriatric medicine
- Public health
Background:
- Osteoporotic fractures are a significant public health concern, especially in the elderly.
- Distal femur fractures, though less common than hip fractures, are linked to high mortality rates.
- Direct comparisons and prognostic implications of distal versus proximal femoral fractures are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prognostic burden of distal femur fractures versus proximal femoral fractures in surgically treated elderly patients.
- To investigate the association between fracture type and all-cause mortality post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational cohort study of patients aged ≥65 years with proximal or distal femoral fractures (2013-2019).
- Comparison of mortality rates at 30, 90, and 365 days post-surgery using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression.
- Adjustment for clinical variables and assessment of rurality as a predictor.
Main Results:
- One-year mortality was similar (27.4% vs. 35.6%, p=0.176).
- Distal fractures had significantly higher mortality at 30 days (16.2% vs. 7.7%, p=0.031) and 90 days (24.3% vs. 14.1%, p=0.039).
- Fracture type was not an independent predictor of mortality; rurality was associated with lower mortality.
Conclusions:
- Distal femur fractures are associated with increased short- and mid-term mortality.
- Fracture type is not an independent predictor of mortality after multivariable adjustment.
- Rurality is an independent predictor of survival, suggesting focused clinical attention for distal femur fractures.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
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 procedure...
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 procedure...
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...