Key result
External fixation for elderly intertrochanteric fractures is linked to a ~35-point Harris Hip Score improvement.
Why the study?
Major surgeries may not be feasible in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures and comorbidities, making external fixation an option to promote early ambulation and prevent recumbency-associated complications.
Does external fixator improve functional outcomes in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures and comorbidities?
Observational (n=30)
Does external fixator improve functional outcomes in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures and comorbidities?
External fixation is an effective option for managing intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients with comorbidities, promoting early ambulation and preventing recumbency-related complications.
May warrant external fixation in select comorbid elderly; leaves open need for comparative trials.
Background and Objectives: Incidence of intertrochanteric fracture is rising because of increasing number of elderly. They tend to have many comorbidities of different systems; therefore, major surgeries are not possible at times. In these patients, external fixator can be an option as it promotes early ambulation, thereby preventing recumbency-associated complications. Material and Methods: Elderly patients of interetrochanteric fracture and with medical comorbidities were managed with external fixator. Functional outcome was measured by Harris Hip Score (HHS) on first post-operative day and in follow ups on 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Results: Thrity patients (19 males, 11 females), of mean age 77.63 years (SD=9.06) were studied. HHS scores steadily increased from 37.6±5.28 on the first post-operative dayto 49.43±6.9 on 4 weeks, 59.83±7.17 on 12 weeks, and 72.47±4.17 on 24 weeks. The changes were all very highly significant (all p=0.000). Mean time taken to union was 14.67±2.28 weeks. None of the patients had recumbency-related complications. Conclusion: External fixators for intertrochanteric fractures in medically comorbid elderly patientsis effective in promoting ambulation and preventing recumbency-related complications.
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Dutta et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Intertrochanteric fracture with co-morbidities (n=30). External fixator was evaluated on Functional outcome measured by Harris Hip Score (HHS) (p=0.000). External fixation for intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients with comorbidities significantly improved Harris Hip Scores from 37.6 post-operatively to 72.47 at 24 weeks (p=0.000).
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