Patient satisfaction, pain, and quality of life 4 months after displaced femoral neck fractures: a comparison of 663 fractures treated with internal fixation and 906 with bipolar hemiarthroplasty reported to the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register.
BACKGROUND
Primary arthroplasty and internal fixation are the two main options for treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures. Despite the fact that there have been several randomized studies, the optimal treatment in the elderly is still controversial. In the present study, based on data from the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register, we compared satisfaction, pain, and quality of life 4 months after surgery in patients over 70 years of age with a displaced femoral neck fracture operated with internal fixation or with a bipolar hemiarthroplasty.


METHODS
Data on 1,569 fractures in patients over 70 years of age operated with internal fixation (n = 663) or hemiarthroplasty (n = 906) were registered in the hip fracture register. The register also included data on patient satisfaction, pain, and quality of life (EQ-5D) assessed 4 months after surgery using VAS scales and EQ-5D health questionnaires.


RESULTS
Patients operated with hemiarthroplasty had less pain (VAS 27 vs. 41), were more satisfied with the result of the operation (VAS 33 vs. 48), and had better EQ-5D index score 4 months postoperatively (0.51 vs. 0.42) than patients who were operated with internal fixation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fracture should be treated with arthroplasty.
Gjertsen
Jan-Erik
JE
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Norwegian Arthroplasty Register, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. jan-erik.gjertsen@helse-bergen.no
Vinje
Tarjei
T
Lie
Stein Atle
SA
Engesaeter
Lars B
LB
Havelin
Leif Ivar
LI
Furnes
Ove
O
Fevang
Jonas M
JM
D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D012086:Reoperation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome