Clinical assessment of patients with isolated hip fractures associated with an upper limb fracture

Abstract

IntroductionSome patients with a hip fracture also present a concomitant upper limb fracture. We want to know whether these patients have a worse functional level and whether they have any differences in various clinical parameters compared with patients with an isolated hip fracture. Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 1061 discharge reports from the Orthogeriatrics Unit. We collected information on several clinical parameters of the fractures. Subsequently, we performed a statistical analysis of the data by comparing the associated fracture group with the isolated fracture group. ResultsWe detected 44 patients with associated upper limb fracture, 90.9% were women (40) and the average age was 84.45 years. Eighty-one point eight percent of the upper limb fractures were distal radius or proximal humerus. Pertrochanteric fractures were the most common (none of them were subtrochanteric fractures). Surgical delay was 2.60 days and the average hospital stay was 12.30 days. Sixty-four point three percent were nail surgery and 31% arthroplasty. The mean Barthel Index score was 84.88 (P=.021). Fifty-two point 5% of the patients in the study group were referred to a functional support unit (P=.03). The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.2%, with no differences between groups. ConclusionsPatients with an associated fracture have a higher previous functional capacity and they are more independent. Nevertheless, after the fracture they need more help from the healthcare system for optimal functional recovery.