Effect of Xugu-Huoxue decoction for the patients with femoral neck fracture after internal fixation with hollow screw fixation

Abstract

Objective To evaluate effect of Xugu-Huoxue decoction on the treatment of patients with femoral neck fracture after internal fixation with hollow screw fixation. Methods A total of 120 patients with femoral neck fracture were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group according to the inclusion criteria, 60 patients in each group. The control group was treated with cannulated screw internal fixation; the observation group was treated with Xugu-Huoxue decoction at the second day after the operation. Both groups were assessed with the Harris hip function score at the end of 12 months after operation. The SF-36 scale was used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients. Results The total effect rate of the observation group was 88.3% (53/60) and the control group was 71.7% (43/60). The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (χ2=5.208, P=0.022). At 12 months after surgery, the pain (41.4 ± 7.3 vs. 32.2 ± 5.7, t=7.738), the joint function (45.7 ± 6.2 vs. 36.3 ± 7.2, t=7.701), joint mobility (5.0 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 0.8, t=13.115), and the total score of Harris (87.7 ± 4.6 vs. 65.4 ± 5.4, t=24.461) in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.001). The physical function (83.1 ± 7.2 vs. 78.8 ±14.2, t=2.095), body pain (82.1 ± 9.9 vs. 67.7 ± 11.1, t=7.524), the overall health (76.6 ± 10.3 vs. 68.8 ± 14.4, t=3.401) and activity (81.1 ± 7.9 vs. 76.6 ± 11.2, t=2.549) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions The Xugu-Huoxue decoction could improve the prognosis of patients with femoral neck fractures after cannulated screw fixation, promote the recovery of hip function and improve the quality of life. Key words: Femoral neck fractures; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone screws; Xugu-Huoxue decoction; Quality of life; Clinical study