Vcm. Koot et al., Functional results after treatment of hip fracture: a multicentre, prospective study in 215 patients, EURO J SURG, 166(6), 2000, pp. 480-485
Objective: To find out which factors influence outcome after a fractured hi
p, so that the optimum treatment may be chosen for each patient.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Setting: 3 teaching and 2 rural hospitals, The Netherlands
Subjects: 215 patients aged 55-102 years (median 82) who presented with a f
ractured hip during 1994.
Interventions: Interviews shortly after the injury and 3 and 12 months late
r, study of radiographs, and evaluation of casenotes.
Main outcome measures: Mobility and functional recovery.
Results: 38 patients had died by the it-month follow up, at which time 63/1
77 (36%) had regained the level of mobility that they had before the injury
. At 12 months the figure was 58/148 (39%). The corresponding figures for f
unctional recovery were 52/177 (29%) and 36/148 (24%). Factors that militat
ed against recovery were increasing age, coexisting diseases, general compl
ications and local complications.
Conclusions: The chance of a patient with a hip fracture making any further
recovery after 3 months is minimal. Local complications are the most impor
tant risk factor.