RESUMO
Background: associated with the increase in the aging population, there is an increase in the occurrence of hip fractures worldwide. Result following such fractures is influenced by age of the patient
Purpose: this study purposes to evaluate the incidence and early outcome of hip fractures, comparing between different age groups
Materials and Methods: data of hip fractures collected over a period of five years was analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups, group A [patients under the age of 64], group B [patients between 65 and 84 years of age], and group C [patients over the age of 85]
Results: of the 588 patients included in the study, there were 45 patients in group A, 351 patients in group B and 192 patients in group C. There was a female preponderance across all age groups, and this increased as age advanced [p < 0.0001]. A significantly larger number of older patients lived alone and needed aids to walk before the injury [p < 0.0001]. There was no significant difference in the type of fracture across the three groups [p = 0.13]. A higher proportion of the elderly with intracapsular fractures were treated by replacement arthroplasty. Older patients who had internal fixation of intracapsular fractures had a better walking ability at 4 months. The overall deterioration in mobility was greater in older patients [p < 0.0001]. Mortality was higher in older patients
Conclusions: hip fractures are more common among females irrespective of age group. Older patients have a higher mortality and a greater deterioration of walking ability after such injuries. Internal fixation of intracapsular fractures have demonstrated satisfactory early outcome in the immediate period. This might be attributed to retention of native bone, better proprioception and shorter operation time