Fractures of the femoral neck: a retrospective and prospective study.
Fractures of the femoral neck place increasing demands on orthopaedic resources. A retrospective review of 570 cases compared theatre data with Health Board computer records. Only 333 (58%) were appropriately documented, confirming the unreliability of studies based on hospital-generated data. In a prospective study, 582 patients were followed for 3 months. Of those admitted from home, 64% returned to the community; of those walking without a stick before fracture, 20% remained mobile without support after fracture. Poor mobility before fracture was associated with a higher mortality, but mortality was independent of either fracture type or operative procedure. Acute hospital mortality was low at 3.8% but increased throughout convalescence to 18.7% at 3 months. Continuing audit of this expanding group is necessary as a guide for resource allocation, as well as improving clinical standards and comparing results.
Foubister
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Hughes
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SP
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland