Change of daily life activity after femoral hip fracture in elderly patients

Hospital mortality after hip fracture in elderly patients has decreased significantly in previous years. However, patients often show reduction of daily life activity. The aim of the following study was to assess clinical and radiological results nine months after operation of hip fracture. A total of 127 patients (mean age 77.2 years) were stabilized by arthroplasty because of femoral neck fractures or by gamma locking nail because of trochanteric fractures. Modified Harris-Hip-Score as well as social situation at time of follow-up compared to pretrauma situation were evaluated. Hospital mortality was 3.2 percent. Follow-up could be performed in 78 patients clinically and radiologically by examination in the hospital. At time of follow-up 19.7 percent of patients had already died independent of the operative procedure. Only 65 percent of patients were able to live at home. Modified Harris-Hip-Score at follow-up was decreased significantly by 16 points compared to the situation before the trauma. The reduction of the score was caused mainly by deterioration of hip function and less by femoral or hip pain. In future the main scope after hip fracture must be an improvement of rehabilitation of elderly patients.