Functional and clinical outcomes of patients aged younger and older than 85 years after rehabilitation post-hip fracture surgery in a co-managed orthogeriatric unit.

AIM: Literature investigating rehabilitation outcomes after hip surgery among individuals aged ≥85 years is sparse. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients aged under and over 85 years, and assessed factors potentially associated with rehabilitation success as described by the Barthel Index (BI). METHODS: From 2011 to 2014, we prospectively enrolled 328 patients (n = 152 aged <85 years, n = 176 aged ≥85 years) admitted to an orthogeriatric unit (Sondrio, Italy) with a diagnosis of hip fracture requiring surgical treatment. We excluded patients who were being treated conservatively. Outcomes included absolute functional gain (AFG; BI at discharge - BI on admission), rehabilitation effectiveness index (AFG / length of stay) and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Older patients were more functionally (mean BI on admission: 11.7 ± 9.6 vs 16.4 ± 12.2, P < 0.001) and cognitively impaired than their younger counterparts (34.1% vs 18.4%, P < 0.001). Surgery time (1.9 ± 1.2 vs 2.3 ±1.3 days, P = 0.008) and length of stay were shorter for older patients (5.7 ± 2.1 vs 6.6 ± 2.4 days, P < 0.001). There were no differences in terms of complications. Patients aged <85 years showed better functional outcomes (BI, AFG, REI) at discharge than patients aged ≥85 years (mean AFG: 38.2 ± 24.2 vs 26.1 ± 22.0, P < 0.001). BI on admission (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08) and cognitive impairment (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.98) were independently associated with rehabilitation outcomes, regardless of chronological age. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups (aged <85 and ≥85 years) showed a significant functional improvement at discharge. Older patients show a residual ability to recover after surgery. A high rehabilitation efficiency - regardless of age - should be pursued even for the oldest old patients experiencing hip fracture. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1194-1199.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an 81-year-old woman after injection of bone cement during hemiarthroplasty: An orthogeriatric case report.

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterized by transient cardiac ischemia-like symptoms, such as chest pain, increase of myocardial necrosis markers, electrocardiographic changes, and temporary left ventricular apical ballooning without significant coronary artery disease, often triggered by a particularly stressful situation. The association between Takotsubo and hip fracture surgery has been rarely reported in the literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 81-year-old woman was hospitalized with a diagnosis of right femoral neck fracture. During the surgical procedure, she displayed acute coronary symptoms a few minutes after the injection of bone cement, in the absence of coronary lesions. Due to the time relationship, bone cement implantation syndrome - not uncommon to observe - was considered in the differential diagnosis. However, the instrumental findings and the transient nature of the abnormalities guided us toward a diagnosis of Takotsubo. The treatment with Levosimendan, Amiodarone, and Metoprolol allowed gradual and satisfactory recovery of the cardiac function within a few days. The follow-up performed two and six months after surgery revealed complete cardiac recovery, and ability to walk at home comparable to the pre-fracture situation. DISCUSSION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is more common in women during the postmenopausal phase, especially if undergoing stressful physical or emotional stimuli. In this case, the sequence of hip fracture, pain, hospitalization, and surgery could easily be intended as a strong stressful event with high physical/psychological burden. CONCLUSION: Despite the good prognosis associated with early recognition, Takotsubo represents a life-threatening adverse event. Considering its possible pathogenesis, a "gentle care" approach and the optimization of pain control must be pursued in elderly subjects with hip fracture, aiming at reducing the stress of the hospitalization and related procedures.

Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture and end-stage renal disease in a 76-year-old woman: a case report.

Hip fracture is a common occurrence in the elderly. Due to the growing demand for the specific care of these patients, we established the Orthogeriatric Unit (OGU) at San Gerardo University Hospital (Italy) in 2007. However, simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures among the geriatric population (those aged ≥65 years) are rarely reported in the literature. Reporting the rare case of a frail 76-year-old woman admitted with bilateral hip fracture and end-stage renal disease, we explain the important role played by the OGU and its flexible multidisciplinary approach for providing comprehensive care to patients with multimorbidity and clinical complexity. The team of geriatricians, orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and, in this case, a nephrologist, helped in the careful planning and timing of the single-step surgical repair, decided the appropriate type of anesthesia, and optimized outcomes. After a prompt evaluation of the patient, the OGU approach can achieve clinical stabilization prior to intervention. Along with a strict follow-up in the postoperative phase, this could result in a significant reduction of complications and mortality rates and an early start to a tailored rehabilitation process. We strongly suggest employing facilities with multidisciplinary teams for cases involving complex patients at short-term high risk for poor clinical outcomes. Indeed, the usual single-specialist model of care is gradually being abandoned worldwide.