ABSTRACT
We aimed to demonstrate the mechanism of fracture and functional outcome of patients with hip injury in our clinical setting. In a historical cohort, all women 50 years of age and older admitted to three university hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences [Shariati, Imam Khomeini and Sina] with the diagnosis of hip fracture from 21 March 2003 to 21 March 2004 were included in this study [n=115]. Follow up was conducted via telephone post and even home visit to record the functional status of the patients at the time of study [5 Jan 2005] measured with Barthel index in addition to the exact mechanism of injuries. The mean and standard deviation of age were 76.3 _ 10.6 years. About 88.7% of injuries had occurred at home [65.2% on the carpet], the remaining happening in the streets. Mean length of hospitalization was 11 _ 7.9 days. Among our patients, 71% could mobilize spontaneously without aids before injuries. This had reduced to 20% at the time of follow-up. The mean Barthel index was 97.2 _ 8.2 before fracture and 75 _ 21.1 at the present. Among our patients, five cases died during hospitalization and 29 of them died afterwards [total: 34 or 29.6%]. The most common external cause of injuries in our cases was stumbling at home especially on carpeted surfaces. This necessitates preventive measures aimed at physical standards of houses and education of elderly on healthy locomotion, indoors