Abstract
BackgroundFor various reasons, some elderly patients with femoral neck fracture undergo delayed surgical treatment. There is little information about the effect of delayed treatment on postoperative hip function and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of delayed hip arthroplasty on hip function, quality of life, and satisfaction in patients with femoral neck fractures.MethodsForty-seven patients with femoral neck fracture and hip replacement delayed over 21 days served as the delayed group (D group). Patients with femoral neck fracture, matched 1:1 for age and sex, and hip replacement within 7 days served as the control group (C group). The Harris hip score (HHS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed before surgery and 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. The satisfaction questionnaires were completed by the patients themselves at the last follow-up.ResultsThe HHS in the C group was lower than that in the D group (32.64 ± 9.11 vs. 46.32 ± 9.88, P < 0.05) before surgery but recovered faster after surgery. The HHS in the D group was lower than that in the C group 1 year postoperatively (85.2 ± 3.80 vs. 89.8 ± 3.33, P < 0.05). The patients’ quality of life changed similarly to their HHS. The HHS 1 year after surgery was related to the preoperative HHS in group D (rs = 0.521, P < 0.01). Patients in the D group showed significantly higher satisfaction scores than those in the C group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsHip function in patients with femoral neck fracture surgery delayed over 21 days recovered more slowly than that in those who underwent surgery within 7 days. However, they were more satisfied with the surgery. Moderate hip movement to ameliorate the lower limb muscle atrophy was recommended for patients facing a temporary inability to undergo surgery.
Highlights
For various reasons, some elderly patients with femoral neck fracture undergo delayed surgical treatment
Patients with old femoral neck fractures were regarded as the delayed group (D group)
Participant characteristics Forty-seven patients with unilateral femoral neck fracture who underwent hip replacement after a 21-day delay after fracture were included in the D group
Summary
Some elderly patients with femoral neck fracture undergo delayed surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of delayed hip arthroplasty on hip function, quality of life, and satisfaction in patients with femoral neck fractures. Femoral neck fracture represents only 14% of all osteoporotic fractures, it accounts for 72% of fracture-related medical expenses [3]. It has understandably been a major public health problem owing to high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenses. Many evidence-based guidelines recommend surgical interventions at the earliest possible time for elderly patients with femoral neck fractures with the aim of reducing postoperative complications [4, 5]. Some surgeries may be delayed because of various factors, such as the need to optimize medical comorbidities, patient choice, misdiagnosis or a missed diagnosis [6, 7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
