Displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly: disposition and outcome after 3- to 6-year follow-up evaluation

This study evaluated the relationship of the disposition and outcome of patients with displaced femoral neck fractures with the type of surgical treatment. From 1993 to 1996, 186 patients with displaced femoral neck fractures who were 65 years of age or older were treated at one hospital. One hundred and twenty fractures were treated with reduction and internal fixation; 66 were treated with arthroplasty. The time interval from fracture to death and to repeat surgery was significantly less for the internal fixation group than for the arthroplasty group. The possibility of nursing home residence is increased in patients who were treated with reduction and internal fixation compared with patients who were treated with arthroplasty.     

Total hip arthroplasty: optimal treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients

Although internal fixation is recommended for most nondisplaced fractures of the femoral neck, the optimal treatment for displaced fractures of the femoral neck is controversial. Options for operative treatment of displaced fractures of the femoral neck include: reduction and internal fixation; unipolar hemiarthroplasty; bipolar hemiarthroplasty; and total hip arthroplasty. One hundred eighty-six displaced fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients were treated surgically with internal fixation (in 120 patients), hemiarthroplasty (in 43 patients), and total hip arthroplasty (in 23 patients). One hundred twenty patients with displaced fractures treated with internal fixation were compared with 66 patients with displaced fractures treated with arthroplasty. Criteria for comparison were reoperation, mortality, hospital discharge disposition, functional outcome, living status, and cost effectiveness. There was no difference in rates of reoperation or mortality, but arthroplasty produced a longer interval to reoperation or death. Arthroplasty was associated with more independent living, and arthroplasty was more cost-effective than internal fixation. Total hip arthroplasty was the best treatment for displaced fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients in this series.     

Trends of Surgical Treatment in Femoral Neck Fracture : A Nationwide Study Based on Claim Registry

We evaluated current trends of surgical treatment, such as internal fixation and hip arthroplasty, in femoral neck fracture. We assessed annual proportion of the each procedure in patients aged 50 years or more from 2006 to 2011, using the data of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), which is a national claim registry. The proportion of hip arthroplasty increased while that of internal fixation decreased annually during the 5 years. The proportion of total hip arthroplasty increased in patients aged ≤ 65 years, and that of hemiarthroplasty increased in patients aged ≥ 65 years. The proportional increase of hip arthroplasty seemed to conform to the recent evidence regarding the outcomes of surgical treatments for the femoral neck fracture.     

三种术式治疗老年股骨颈骨折的疗效比较

目的 通过比较内固定、人工股骨头置换(FHA)及全髋关节置换(THR)治疗老年股骨颈骨折的疗效,探讨老年股骨颈骨折的术式选择. 方法在1999年1月至2007年8月所收治的老年股骨颈骨折患者中,选择年龄、骨折类型、受伤时间及全身情况相似而治疗方式不同的三组共182例患者,其中内固定组42例,Garden分型:Ⅰ型2例,Ⅱ型8例,Ⅲ型17例,Ⅳ型15例;FHA组64例,Garden分型:Ⅱ型16例,Ⅲ型34例,Ⅳ型14例;THR组76例,Garden分型:Ⅱ型19例,Ⅲ型37例,Ⅳ型20例.对三组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、扶双拐下地时间、术后并发症、再手术率及关节功能优良率等进行统计学比较. 结果 182例患者术后获25～65个月(平均38个月)随访.内固定组手术时间最短、术中出血量最少,FHA组次之,THR组手术时间最长、术中出血量最多,三组之间比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).住院时间三组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).与内固定组比较,FHA组与THR组扶双拐下地时间较短[分别为(7.0±0.8)d,(8.0±0.7)d]、术后并发症发生率较低(10.9%,10.5%)、再手术率较低(7.8%,5.3%)、关节功能优良率较高(85.9%,89.5%),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),而FHA组与THR组之间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论对于老年股骨颈骨折患者,FHA和THR具有扶双拐下地时间短、术后并发症少、再手术率低及关节功能恢复好等优点,适合于年龄>65岁的Garden Ⅲ、Ⅳ型股骨颈骨折患者;而内固定术具有手术时间短、术中出血少的优点,可作为年龄>60岁的Garden Ⅰ、Ⅱ型股骨颈骨折患者的治疗首选.     

Costs of care after hospital discharge among women with a femoral neck fracture

A prospective study was done among women who are postmenopausal and who had a displaced femoral neck fracture. The objective was to identify potential predictors of medical care costs during the 1-year after hospital discharge, and to examine the impact of the type of surgical procedure. The design was a 1-year prospective cohort study reflecting day-to-day clinical practice. At four hospitals, 84 women 50 years or older with a displaced femoral neck fracture were enrolled on a consecutive basis. Direct costs of medical care were documented during the 1-year after hospital discharge. Multivariate analyses were done to explore potential predictors of costs. Three fracture groups were defined by the time of surgical repair. Patients in the total hip arthroplasty group were significantly younger than those in the hemiarthroplasty and the internal fixation groups (mean age, 71 years, 81 years, and 80 years, respectively). The mean direct costs of medical care during the 1-year followup after hospital discharge were not significantly different after total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or internal fixation because of large cost variations among patients. A multivariate model identified increasing age and living in an institution at the time of the injury as the two significant determinants of increased medical costs during the 1-year followup after hospital discharge. Direct costs of medical care during the 1-year after hospital discharge do not seem to be associated with the type of surgical procedure. Increasing age and living in an institution at the time of the injury are strong predictors of increased costs.     

Primary total hip arthroplasty versus internal fixation in displaced fracture of femoral neck in sexa- and septuagenarians

Background

The optimal treatment of femoral neck fracture in the elderly patient is still under debate. In patients aged 60–80 years, the decision between internal fixation and arthroplasty remains controversial. The primary aim of the present study is to evaluate the functional outcome of patients aged 60–80 years with femoral neck fracture treated with total hip arthroplasty or closed reduction and internal fixation. The secondary aim is to evaluate the incidence of nonunion and avascular necrosis in femoral neck fracture in different age groups.

Materials and Methods

We studied 100 patients affected by displaced fracture of the femoral neck from May 2007 through June 2010. There were 60 men and 40 women with mean age of 66 years. Fifty patients were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screws (group A), and the other 50 patients with total hip arthroplasty (group B). Mean surgical time, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, Harris hip score, complications, and need for reoperation were recorded.

Results

Harris hip score was significantly higher in group B at 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up evaluation. The overall complication rate was 28 % in group A and 32 % in group B, which was not statistically significant. A statistically significant difference was found regarding patients who required reoperation in group A (20 %) compared with group B (no one). The average Harris hip score in the internal fixation group was 90.6 and in the total hip arthroplasty group was 93.7, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our study showed an increased risk for intracapsular hip fracture developing nonunion with older age.

Conclusions

Primary total hip arthroplasty compared with internal fixation appears to be a reasonably safe method of treating displaced fracture of femoral neck in elderly patients. We also concluded that outcome regarding hip function is generally better after total hip arthroplasty compared with internal fixation.

Level of evidence

Level II-Prospective cohort study.     

Costs of internal fixation and arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures: a randomized study of 68 patients

We included in a prospective, randomized study 68 patients aged 70 years or older, with displaced cervical hip fractures. The patients were randomized to internal fixation with hook-pins (36) or primary arthroplasty (32) (total or hemiarthroplasty due to their prefracture status) and followed for 2 years. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, mental confusion and/or residence in an institution were excluded. The postoperative stay in hospital, rehabilitation wards or nursing homes were recorded as well as complications and the costs of surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the accumulated costs of each method, during the first 2 years after the fracture. In the internal fixation group, 15/36 were considered failures, as compared to 1/32 in the arthroplasty group. As regards primary treatment of the fracture, the durations of surgery and hospital stay were shorter after internal fixation, but the total need for hospitalization/institutionalization was somewhat longer in these patients. The mean 2-year cost for a patient with internal fixation was USD 21,000 and of one with primary arthroplasty USD 15,000. We conclude that primary arthroplasty is a cost-efficient treatment. Considering the very much higher failure rate after internal fixation--leading to increased suffering for these patients--primary arthroplasty stands out as the best method for displaced fractures of the femoral neck.     

Operative management of displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients. An international survey

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures occur in 280,000 North Americans each year. Although surgeons have reached consensus with regard to the treatment of undisplaced fractures of the hip, the surgical treatment of displaced fractures remains controversial. Identifying surgeons' preferences in techniques, and the rationale for their choices, may aid in focusing educational activities to the orthopaedic community as well as planning future clinical trials. Our objective was to clarify current opinion with regard to the operative treatment of displaced fractures of the femoral neck. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional survey design and a sample-to-redundancy strategy to examine surgeons' preferences in the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures. We mailed this survey to members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and European-AO International-affiliated trauma centers. RESULTS: Of 442 surgeons who received the questionnaire, 298 (67%) responded. The typical respondent was a North American man over the age of forty years who was in academic practice, supervised residents, had fellowship training in trauma, and worked in a low-volume center (<100 hip fractures per year), treating an equal proportion of displaced and undisplaced femoral neck fractures. Most surgeons believed that internal fixation was the procedure of choice in younger patients (those who are less than sixty years old) with a displaced fracture (Garden type III or IV). For patients over eighty years old with Garden type-III or IV fractures, almost all surgeons preferred arthroplasty. Respondents varied widely in their preferences for the treatment of patients who were sixty to eighty years old with a displaced fracture (Garden type III or IV) or active patients with a Garden type-III fracture. Many surgeons believed there was no difference between arthroplasty and internal fixation when considering mortality (45%), infection rates (30%), and quality of life (37%). Surgeons also revealed variable preferences in their choice of the optimal approach to arthroplasty for patients between sixty and eighty years old with a type-IV fracture (32% preferred unipolar; 41%, bipolar; and 17%, total hip arthroplasty) and in the optimal choice of implant for internal fixation. CONCLUSIONS: While surgeons prefer internal fixation for younger patients and arthroplasty for older patients, they disagree about the optimal approach to the management of patients between sixty and eighty years old with a displaced fracture and active patients with a Garden type-III fracture. Surgeons also disagree on the optimal implants for internal fixation or arthroplasty.     

Internal fixation compared with arthroplasty for displaced fractures of the femoral neck. A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The optimal choice for the stabilization of displaced femoral neck fractures remains controversial, with alternatives including arthroplasty and internal fixation. Our objective was to determine the effect of arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty, bipolar arthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty), compared with that of internal fixation, on rates of mortality, revision, pain, function, operating time, and wound infection in patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture. METHODS: We searched computerized databases for randomized clinical trials published between 1969 and 2002, and we identified additional studies through hand searches of major orthopaedic journals, bibliographies of major orthopaedic textbooks, and personal files. Of 140 citations initially identified, fourteen met all eligibility criteria. Three investigators independently graded study quality and abstracted relevant data, including information on revision and mortality rates. RESULTS: Nine trials, which included a total of 1162 patients, provided detailed information on mortality rates over the first four postoperative months, which ranged from 0% to 20%. We found a trend toward an increase in the relative risk of death in the first four months after arthroplasty compared with the risk in the first four months after internal fixation (relative risk, 1.27). At one year, the relative risk of death was 1.04. The risk of death after arthroplasty appeared to be higher than that after fixation with a compression screw and side-plate but not higher than that after internal fixation with use of screws only (relative risk = 1.75 and 0.86, respectively; p < 0.05). Fourteen trials that included a total of 1901 patients provided data on revision surgery. The relative risk of revision surgery after arthroplasty compared with the risk after internal fixation was 0.23 (p = 0.0003). Pain relief and the attainment of overall good function were similar in patients treated with arthroplasty and those treated with internal fixation (relative risk, 1.12 for pain relief and 0.99 for function). Infection rates ranged from 0% to 18%, and arthroplasty significantly increased the risk of infection (relative risk, 1.81; p = 0.009). In addition, patients who underwent arthroplasty had greater blood loss and longer operative times than those who were treated with internal fixation. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with internal fixation, arthroplasty for the treatment of a displaced femoral neck fracture significantly reduces the risk of revision surgery, at the cost of greater infection rates, blood loss, and operative time and possibly an increase in early mortality rates. Only larger trials will resolve the critical question of the impact on early mortality.     

Can we predict failure of internal fixation when treating femoral neck fractures?

At present, femoral head saving surgery is reserved for femoral neck fracture patients who are either young or have suffered a minimally displaced fracture. However, even after this strict selection, an approximate failure rate of internal fixation of 15% is described in the literature. The present study looked if failures can be discerned from successes by baseline differences. Files and X-rays of 164 consecutive femoral neck fracture patients treated by internal fixation in our hospital between 1996 and 2002 were studied, retrospectively. Successfully treated patients and failures (defined as the need for an arthroplasty following internal fixation) were compared with regard to patient’s age, pretraumatic mobility, fracture dislocation, fracture angle, operative delay, operative duration and experience of the surgeon. Of the 164 patients undergoing internal fixation for a femoral neck fracture, 16 were classified as failures (10%) and 148 were treated successfully. There was no statistical difference between groups with regard to any of the studied variables. Patients in whom internal fixation of femoral neck fractures fails, cannot be discerned from successfully treated patients by preoperative variables.     

In-hospital mortality after femoral neck fracture: do internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty differ?

In this article, we examine rates of in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty. Data were analyzed for 51,003 patients (> or = 65 years old) admitted with femoral neck fractures to New York state hospitals between 1985 and 1996. The primary outcome examined was in-hospital mortality. Associations between type of surgical procedure and outcome were assessed using a multiple logistic regression model, adjusting for patient age, sex, race, number of comorbidities, and residence in a nursing facility before hip fracture. Approximately 30% of the study group had undergone open or closed reduction and internal fixation; the other 70% had undergone hemiarthroplasty. Forty-six percent of the internal fixation group and 56% of the hemiarthroplasty group were 85 years old or older (P < .001). Median hospital stays were 13 days for the internal fixation group and 15 days for the hemiarthroplasty group (P < 001). In-hospital mortality was 5.1% overall, 3.9% for the internal fixation group, and 5.6% for the hemiarthroplasty group (P < .001). The association between type of procedure and mortality held after adjusting for patient age, sex, and number of comorbidities (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-1.56; P < .001). After controlling for potential confounding variables, we found that elderly patients who had undergone hemiarthroplasty after femoral neck fracture were more likely to die during hospitalization than those who had undergone internal fixation.     

关节置换术治疗老年无移位股骨颈骨折合理性Meta分析

目的 比较无移位的老年股骨颈骨折内固定与关节置换术的疗效。方法 以“Internal Fixation”、“Arthroplasty”、“Nondisplaced Femoral Neck Fractures”、“Elderly”为英文检索词,以“关节置换术”、“无移位股骨颈骨折”、“内固定”、“老年”为中文检索词,检索了MEDLINE、Ovid和中国知网数据库、万方数据库。入组标准为70岁以上;Garden Ⅰ或Ⅱ股骨颈骨折;螺钉内固定与关节置换术比较的研究。主要结果是再手术率。次要结果包括死亡率、术后并发症、髋关节Harris评分。由两位研究人员从纳入的研究中独立提取数据。应用STATA软件进行统计量合并。结果 在901篇筛选的文章中,5篇文献符合入选标准,共有28591名患者（14296名接受关节置换术,14295名接受内固定治疗）。内固定组再手术率高于关节置换组（OR：0.02,95%CI：0.43~0.84）,差异具有统计学意义（Z=3.46,P=0.00）。两个治疗组之间的一年死亡风险、并发症及Harris评分没有显著差异。结论 对于无移位的老年股骨颈骨折,关节置换术可降低再手术率,优于内固定治疗。对老年无移位股骨颈骨折行一期关节置换术具有合理性。     

Fixation failure in femoral neck fractures

Fixation of femoral neck fractures is associated with a higher incidence of complications than any other fracture. The rates of nonunion and avascular necrosis with open reduction and internal fixation continue to be unacceptably high. These complications are the main reason for resorting to primary endoprosthetic replacement of the femoral head in the presence of displaced fractures in elderly patients. However, with the increasing life span of the patients with these prostheses, late complications of endoprosthetic replacement of the femoral head are becoming significant. With these complications, it may be argued that the most cost-effective solution to the femoral neck fracture in the majority of patients is open reduction and internal fixation, with elective conversion, when necessary, to total hip arthroplasty in patients who have a complication. Because the literature does not contain a systematic review of reasons for failure of internal fixation, the authors will attempt to review the common means of failure of internal fixation in young and older patients in an attempt to better understand and prevent these complications.     

Thompson hemiarthroplasty is superior to Ullevaal screws in treating displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over 75 years. A prospective randomized study with two-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Finnish orthopaedic tradition has preferred hemiarthroplasty to internal fixation in femoral neck fracture treatment, while in Sweden internal fixation has been the method of choice. We decided to study whether internal fixation would prove superior to hemiarthroplasty even in displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over 75 years old. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We randomized 32 displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over 75 years old to receive internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty. RESULTS: Fifteen (47%) patients died within two years. Seven of 16 (44%) patients in the internal fixation group were reoperated, none in the hemiarthroplasty group (p = 0.007). Seven of the complications in the internal fixation group developed during the first year and it would have been unethical to continue the study. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over 75 years should be treated by arthroplasty.     

Which is the Best Alternative for Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in the Elderly?: A Meta-Analysis

Background  

Treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures includes internal fixation and arthroplasty. However, whether arthroplasty or internal fixation is the primary treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients remains a subject for debate. The literature contains conflicting evidence regarding rates of mortality, revision surgery, major postoperative complications, and function in elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures treated either by internal fixation or arthroplasty (either hemiarthroplasty or THA).     

Treatment of femoral neck fractures in patients 45–64 years of age

Introduction

Young patients with femoral neck fractures are optimally treated with reduction and stable fixation, while patients over the age of sixty-five are often treated with arthroplasty. This study analyzes in-hospital outcomes associated with total hip arthroplasty, hip hemiarthroplasty and internal fixation for treatment of femoral neck fractures in patients aged 45–64.

Comparison of internal fixation with total hip replacement for displaced femoral neck fractures. Randomized, controlled trial performed at four years

BACKGROUND: Recent randomized, controlled trials performed at two years postoperatively have shown that a primary total hip replacement is superior to internal fixation for the treatment of a displaced femoral neck fracture in a relatively healthy, mentally competent, elderly patient. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes at four years. METHODS: One hundred and two patients (mean age, eighty years) who had an acute displaced femoral neck fracture were randomly allocated to be treated with total hip replacement or internal fixation. The inclusion criteria were an age of at least seventy years, absence of severe cognitive dysfunction, an independent living status, and the ability to walk independently. The main outcome measurements were hip complications, reoperations, hip function, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 25% in both groups. At the forty-eight-month follow-up evaluation, the rate of hip complications was 4% in the patients treated with total hip replacement and 42% in those treated with internal fixation (p < 0.001) and the reoperation rates were 4% and 47%, respectively (p < 0.001). The arthroplasty group had no additional hip complications or reoperations between the twenty-four and forty-eight-month follow-up visits. In the fixation group, the percentage of hip complications increased from 36% to 42% and the percentage of reoperations increased from 42% to 47% during the same period. The hip function was significantly better and the decline in health-related quality of life was less pronounced in the arthroplasty group than it was in the fixation group at the four, twelve, and twenty-four-month follow-up evaluations. Ninety-seven percent of the patients in the arthroplasty group and 57% of the patients in the fixation group who were available for follow-up at forty-eight months had no hip complications (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with internal fixation, primary total hip replacement provides a better outcome for mentally competent elderly patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture. The complication and reoperation rates were significantly lower and hip function and health-related quality of life were at least as good at four years after the surgery.     

网络数据来源的股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的诊断与治疗

目的 以网络开放数据库为基础,探讨股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的诊断与治疗策略.方法 筛选2005年11月1日至2008年12月31日中华骨科网(htpp://www.orthochina.org)骨科创伤版数据库中128例股骨颈骨折患者资料,均由通过"骨科医生"身份验证的专业骨科医生提交,提取18例股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者资料.利用网络开放数据库的特点,综合分析此18例患者的医院分布、漏诊时间和漏诊原因,总结及汇总论坛讨论意见,分析骨科医生对股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的认识,汇总治疗策略.结果 股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折占股骨颈骨折的14.1%(18/128).38.9%(7/18)的患者漏诊股骨颈骨折,1例为术巾漏诊,6例为术后漏诊.18例患者中,来自基层一级医疗机构者3例,地区二级医院12例,三级甲等医院3例.7例漏诊患者中,基层一级医疗机构3例,地区二级医院1例,三级甲等医院3例.早期确诊的11例患者多采用钢板加空心加压螺纹钉固定或股骨近端髓内钉固定,疗效可靠.1例术中漏诊患者术中补救后复位固定满意.6例术后漏诊患者中,3例采用空心加压螺纹钉同定,骨折复位较好;3例未对股骨颈骨折固定,预后较差.医生查体不完全、尤摄髋CT和术中透视及复查X线没有包括同侧髋关节是漏诊的主要原因.结论 网络数据库客观反映目前临床诊疗中股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的重要性和风险,漏诊患者中顺行髓内钉的翻修最为困难,早期诊治及避免漏诊十分必要,应强调规范化查体和诊治.     

55岁以下成年移位股骨颈骨折内固定术后失败的研究分析

目的:回顾性研究年龄55岁以下成年患者移位股骨颈骨折内固定治疗失败病例以提高对其治疗的重视。方法:2007年1月至2010年6月治疗55岁以下移位股骨颈骨折内固定术后失败患者18例,男13例,女5例;年龄27～55岁,平均(48.0±6.0)岁;空心钉治疗17例,髓内钉治疗1例。入院时诊断为股骨头坏死16例,骨不连合并股骨头坏死2例。结果:18例患者内固定术后至手术失败时间8～32个月,平均23个月。复位内固定术后Garden指数不佳;入院时髋关节Harris评分33～80分,平均(56.0±12.5)分。8例股骨头坏死病例和2例骨不连合并股骨头坏死病例接受了全髋关节置换术,5例股骨头坏死病例接受了表面髋关节置换术,3例虽然影像学有股骨头坏死征象但临床症状不明显,接受了保守治疗。所有行髋关节表面置换和全髋关节置换的病例术后随访12～53个月,平均34个月,术后Harris评分(94.0±3.0)分(89～96分)。结论:股骨头坏死是55岁以下成年移位股骨颈骨折闭合复位内固定术后常见并发症,必须提高对青壮年股骨颈骨折闭合复位内固定治疗的重视。     

Prognosis of proximal femoral fracture in patients aged 90 years and older

PURPOSE: To examine the walking ability and survival outcome of patients aged 90 years and older who sustained proximal femoral fractures, and to compare the findings with those of younger patients reported in previous studies. METHODS: Between January 1997 and June 2004 inclusive, 56 patients (11 men and 45 women) aged 90 years and older (range, 90-103 years; mean, 93 years) with hip fracture were reviewed. Their walking ability and survival outcome at discharge was investigated. Comparison was made between patients aged 60 to 89 years and those aged 90 years and older with respect to sex, fracture type, and other characteristics. RESULTS: Of 56 patients, 26 injured the right side and 30 the left side. Before injury, 33 (59%) were living at home and 23 (41%) were institutionalised in long-term care facilities or other hospitals. Fracture occurred at the femoral neck in 14 patients and at the trochanter in 42. Ten patients were treated conservatively because of severe dementia, co-morbidity, or refusal of surgery by the patients or their families, whereas 46 underwent surgery. Of the 45 who were previously ambulatory, 22 regained walking ability on discharge from hospital. None of the 10 patients treated conservatively were ambulatory on discharge. During hospitalisation, 4 became bedridden and 5 died (mainly due to pneumonia); among these 9 patients, 5 were deemed physically unfit for surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients aged 90 years and older with proximal femoral fracture. However, they have a lower rate of regaining pre-injury walking ability and a higher in-hospital death rate than younger patients.