Outcome studies of hip fractures. A functional viewpoint

As the success rate for repair of hip fractures continues to increase, emphasis is shifting to outcomes beyond the simple fracture repair to include restoration of function. The orthopaedist's role is critical in understanding, assessing, and determining patient prognosis with respect to functional outcome. Multiple factors are predictive of outcome following hip fracture; these factors may facilitate the orthopaedist's decision making in providing care that will maximize restoration relative to a patient's premorbid ability to walk and live independently. This review of past research summarizes our current knowledge of hip-fracture outcomes and prognostic indicators.