AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON OUTCOME, COMPLICATIONS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AFTER MANAGEMENT OF PROXIMAL FEMORAL FRACTURE

Abstract

Proximal femoral fractures are common fractures that often result in functional deficits and post-fracture morbidity, especially in the elderly population. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess functional recovery, postoperative complications, radiological fracture union and clinical risk factors associated with surgical management. The total number of patients who underwent surgery for proximal femur fractures in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India, was included. Functional outcome was evaluated by the Harris hip score in the immediate postoperative period and at 2, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. All patients underwent clinical examination and the Radiographic Union Score for Hip assessment for all postoperative complications and radiological healing. Many patients were over 60 years old (80%), and intertrochanteric fractures accounted for the majority of fractures (62%). Surgery was mostly performed for proximal femoral nailing (66%). 20% developed a surgical site infection, 12% implant failure and 8% pressure sores. 70% had good to excellent functional outcomes at 24 weeks. In 35 patients that were radiologically assessed, fracture union was reported in 29 patients (82.86 %), delayed union in four patients and nonunion in two patients. A favourable functional recovery and radiological healing were observed in most patients, with the postoperative complications being clinically significant in these patients.