Medical Aspects of Hip Fracture Management

Abstract

Hip fracture is a common disorder that results in death or significant loss of function for more than 150,000 Americans annually. Furthermore, the number of hip fractures occurring annually in this country is expected to double by the year 2040.6,123 Clinical outcomes of hip fracture patients should be improvable by evidence-based medical care. This chapter has identified processes of medical care for which the data are unambiguous (e.g., prophylactic antibiotics and antithrombotics) and others for which the data are less clear and for which more research is needed (e.g., management of delirium, prevention of falls, duration of prophylactic thromboembolics, and cost-effectiveness of low molecular weight heparin as compared to other agents). The recommendations proposed in this chapter should enhance our ability to predict and manage the common complications of hip fracture, improve function and quality of life, and improve the quality of medical care afforded these patients.