Hip fractures--patient background.
A consecutive series of 282 patients with hip fractures, with a mean age of 76 years, was studied. Two-thirds of the patients (182) lived in their own homes, half of them alone and one-third of the 182 requiring regular help. Widows were more common in the age group 75-84 years and widowers and single men in the age group 65-74 years. Thirty % of the patients used walking aids and had previously sustained fractures of the osteoporotic type. One-fourth of the patients were confused on arrival at hospital. Laboratory tests differed little from values in the normal population. Chest X-ray was of value and cardiac decompensation was diagnosed in a small group. Time aspects of the hip fracture accident are discussed. No increase in incidence in the age group over 70 years was found during the period 1971-1981.
Dolk
T
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Department of Orthopaedics, Regionsjukhuset, Orebro, Sweden.
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013548:Sweden