title: Hemiarthroplasty in elderly, debilitated patients with an unstable femoral fracture in the trochanteric region.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of patients with an unstable fracture in the trochanteric region who were treated by hemiarthroplasty. During a 10-year period, 154 of the 308 patients with a trochanteric fracture treated in our hospital had an unstable fracture. In patients with severe comminution and osteoporosis an endoprosthesis was inserted: 5 patients with a subtrochanteric and 17 with a pertrochanteric fracture. Ten patients suffered from central nervous system diseases, and in 10 patients cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders were diagnosed. Pre- and postoperative ambulation levels were classified. Seventeen patients (77%) achieved full weight-bearing mobilization. Five patients never walked again (23%): 2 patients died in the first month (9%). It is concluded that for elderly and debilitated patients with an unstable trochanteric fracture, hemiarthroplasty is an acceptable alternative to osteosynthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vahl
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Dunki Jacobs
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patka
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Haarman
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011859:Radiography