A prospective study of hip fracture patients

This prospective study of 85 femoral neck fracture patients has shown that these patients are older than other 65 + orthopaedic admissions and match the age of geriatric admissions. A disproportionately high number of the patients fall into the disabled, less mobile, not married and institutionalised categories. Disuse is suggested as one aetiological factor in the generation of osteoporosis. Rehabilitation is compromised by the significant delays in discharge which occur when patients are not able to return to their original environment, particularly where placement is required in a geriatric unit or in a private hospital.