Hip fractures Hip dislocation Trochanteric bursitis Femoral artery pulse Flashcards
What is the typical mechanism of injury for hip fractures in the elderly?
A low impact fall
What percentage of patients with hip fractures are over 60 years old?
92%
What is the predominant gender affected by hip fractures?
73% of patients are female
What are the common risk factors associated with hip fractures?
Osteoporosis, smoking, alcohol use, malnutrition, neurological impairment, impaired vision, low BMI
What is the mortality rate at one year for individuals with hip fractures?
30%
How are hip fractures classified in terms of intracapsular and extracapsular fractures?
Based on their location in relation to the intertrochanteric line
What are the subdivisions of intracapsular fractures?
Subcapital and transcervical fractures
What are the potential complications of intracapsular fractures?
Femoral head AVN and non-union
What classification system is used for intracapsular fractures, predicting union and risk of AVN?
The Garden classification
Why are intracapsular fractures prone to femoral head AVN and non-union?
They can damage the medial femoral circumflex artery
Why are AVN and non-union rare in extracapsular fractures?
The blood supply to the head of the femur remains intact
What are the typical symptoms of hip fractures?
Hip/groin pain, swelling, inability to weight bear
What signs might be observed in a patient with a hip fracture?
Shortened and externally rotated lower limb on the affected side, potential cognitive impairment, signs of dehydration, and altered neurovascular status of the lower limb
How are hip fractures typically diagnosed using X-rays?
Most are visible on pelvic and lateral hip X-rays; loss of Shenton’s line indicates a hip fracture
What alternative imaging may be required if X-rays do not show the fracture, despite clinical suspicion?
MRI after 10 days or immediately in cases of persistent clinical suspicion
What is the primary treatment for hip fractures and why?
Surgical management followed by early mobilization to prevent complications from prolonged bed rest
What is the recommended approach for pain management in hip fractures?
Local nerve blocks rather than strong opiates
What is the 30-day mortality rate for hip fractures?
5-10%
What percentage of patients experience a decline in independence after a hip fracture?
Half of the patients
What are two major risk factors for hip fractures?
Increasing age and osteoporosis
Which gender is more commonly affected by hip fractures?
Females
Why are hip fractures generally prioritized on the trauma list?
Due to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with them
What is the goal timeline for performing surgery after a hip fracture?
Within 48 hours
What is the specialty that focuses on the medical co-morbidities of orthopedic inpatients, particularly elderly patients with hip fractures?
Orthogeriatrics
How are hip fractures categorized?
Into intra-capsular and extra-capsular fractures
Name the basic structures at the top of the femur.
Head, Neck, Greater trochanter, Lesser trochanter, Intertrochanteric line, Shaft (body)
What structures does the hip joint capsule attach to?
Attaches to the acetabulum on the pelvis and the intertrochanteric line on the femur
Why is a displaced intra-capsular fracture concerning?
It can damage the blood vessels supplying the femoral head, leading to avascular necrosis
What surgical interventions might be necessary for patients with a displaced intra-capsular fracture?
Femoral head replacement with hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement
What concept regarding blood supply to the head of the femur influences the choice of operation for hip fractures?
Retrograde blood supply determines the choice of operation
How did understanding intra-capsular or extra-capsular fractures impact the management of patients with hip fractures during an FY1 job in trauma and orthopedics?
It facilitated the identification and justification of the choice of operation, making trauma meetings less stressful
What is the area affected in intra-capsular fractures?
The area proximal to the intertrochanteric line
What is the purpose of the Garden classification in intra-capsular neck of femur fractures?
It classifies these fractures based on completeness and displacement
How are non-displaced intra-capsular fractures managed?
Internal fixation (e.g., with screws) to hold the femoral head in place while the fracture heals
What is the treatment for displaced intra-capsular fractures (Grade III and IV)?
Head of the femur needs to be removed and replaced
What does hemiarthroplasty involve in treating hip fractures?
It involves replacing the head of the femur but leaving the acetabulum in place, often offered to patients with limited mobility or significant co-morbidities
When is total hip replacement generally offered in the context of hip fractures?
Generally offered to patients who can walk independently and are fit for surgery
Why doesn’t the blood supply to the head of the femur need to be replaced in extra-capsular fractures?
Extra-capsular fractures leave the blood supply to the head of the femur intact
How are intertrochanteric fractures treated?
Treated with a dynamic hip screw (sliding hip screw)
What is the preferred treatment for subtrochanteric fractures?
Intramedullary nail (a metal pole inserted through the greater trochanter into the central cavity of the shaft of the femur)
What are the typical symptoms seen in a patient with a hip fracture?
Pain in the groin or hip, inability to weight bear, shortened, abducted, and externally rotated leg
Why is assessing patients with a new hip fracture for acute illnesses important?
Often there is a good reason for the fall and identifying acute illnesses such as anemia, electrolyte imbalances, arrhythmias, etc., is crucial for optimizing the patient and minimizing surgery delays
What is meant by the term “mechanical fall” in the context of hip fractures?
It implies a simple explanation for why the patient fell, but it’s important to explore the fall in more detail as there might be an underlying medical or social cause that’s correctable
What is Shenton’s line, and where can it be visualized on an X-ray?
It is a continuous line formed by the medial border of the femoral neck and extends to the inferior border of the superior pubic ramus, visible on an AP x-ray of the hip