Study Shows Older Patients Maintain Independence After THA

Patients older than 75 years of age who underwent total hip arthroplasty for neck of femur fractures had comparable functional outcomes to younger patients and maintained an independent lifestyle post injury, according to study results.

New Zealand researchers identified 44 patients older than 75 years of age who underwent total hip arthroplasty for a neck of femur fracture during a two-year study period. Patients underwent routine postoperative clinical and radiographic follow-up at six weeks and one year, and data were collected with regard to hip-related complications, general complications, activities of daily living, patients’ living conditions and hip function. The clinicians also measured activities of daily living status using the Katz index retrospectively and postoperatively, and patients’ mortality was divided into 30-day and one-year mortality.

According to study results, 88 percent of patients were classified as independent and 90.5 percent of patients received on-site rehabilitation, with a mean length of stay of 9.5 days. The researchers observed a mean preoperative Katz Index score of 5.9 and a mean postoperative score of 5.7 in 36 patients. Among 37 of the 44 patients, the mean Oxford Hip Score was 39.7. Overall, results showed no infections or periprosthetic fractures within the follow-up period. The data also showed that three patients suffered perioperative stroke, two patients had perioperative non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and 20 patients needed blood transfusions.