Hendrik Jansen1, Stefanie Doht, Sönke P Frey, Rainer H Meffert. 1. Department of Trauma, Hand-, Plastic-, and Reconstructive Surgery, Würzburg University Hospital, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany. jansen_h@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To investigate the potential influence of patient age on fracture type and postoperative mobility in subtrochanteric femoral fractures. METHODS: Data for patients who had suffered subtrochanteric femoral fractures between 2004 and 2009 were analyzed in a retrospective single-center study at a level I trauma center. Age, sex, accident cause, fracture type (Seinsheimer, Russell-Taylor, and AO classifications) and mobility at different time points (pre-trauma, after 3, 6, and 12 months, and current) were collected using the patient files, radiographs, and phone enquiries. The patients were divided into groups aged <65 and ≥65 years. Significant associations between age and fracture type and mobility were investigated using Fisher's exact test, Levene's test, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were evaluated. There were 38 patients in group I (<65 years) and 53 in group II (≥65 years). The trauma leading to the fracture was greater in group I than in group II (P < 0.01), and group I also had a larger number of concomitant injuries (P < 0.01). There was a smaller proportion of women in group I (38 vs. 75.5 %; P < 0.01). Group II had higher grades in the Russell-Taylor fracture classification (P < 0.05) and more frequently had type A fractures in the AO classification (P < 0.05). No differences between the groups were found when the Seinsheimer classification was applied. With regard to postoperative mobility, there was better mobility in group I after 12 months and at the last follow-up examination (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients (≥65 years old) more often had type II fractures according to the Russell-Taylor classification, type A fractures in the AO classification, and poorer postoperative mobility over the long term than patients <65 years old.
BACKGROUND: To investigate the potential influence of patient age on fracture type and postoperative mobility in subtrochanteric femoral fractures. METHODS: Data for patients who had suffered subtrochanteric femoral fractures between 2004 and 2009 were analyzed in a retrospective single-center study at a level I trauma center. Age, sex, accident cause, fracture type (Seinsheimer, Russell-Taylor, and AO classifications) and mobility at different time points (pre-trauma, after 3, 6, and 12 months, and current) were collected using the patient files, radiographs, and phone enquiries. The patients were divided into groups aged <65 and ≥65 years. Significant associations between age and fracture type and mobility were investigated using Fisher's exact test, Levene's test, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were evaluated. There were 38 patients in group I (<65 years) and 53 in group II (≥65 years). The trauma leading to the fracture was greater in group I than in group II (P < 0.01), and group I also had a larger number of concomitant injuries (P < 0.01). There was a smaller proportion of women in group I (38 vs. 75.5 %; P < 0.01). Group II had higher grades in the Russell-Taylor fracture classification (P < 0.05) and more frequently had type A fractures in the AO classification (P < 0.05). No differences between the groups were found when the Seinsheimer classification was applied. With regard to postoperative mobility, there was better mobility in group I after 12 months and at the last follow-up examination (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients (≥65 years old) more often had type II fractures according to the Russell-Taylor classification, type A fractures in the AO classification, and poorer postoperative mobility over the long term than patients <65 years old.