Hip Fracture. A Nine-Year Study.

Abstract

Background: Recent studies in Cuba stated that a great number of hip fractures are caused due to accidental falls constituting an important health problem in the third age. Objective: To characterize the behaviour of hip fractures from 1997 to 2005 in Cienfuegos Province. Methods: An observational longitudinal descriptive and prospective study was carried out to all patients treated for hip fracture from 1997 to 2005 in the University Hospital ¨Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima¨ in Cienfuegos city. Variable such as age, sex, and topographical diagnosis, and surgical modality, scale of disability, comorbidity, complications, lethality, and second time of admission were taken into account and collected in the analyzed period of time and in specific clinical records elaborated for this purpose. Results: 13,7 per cent of the orthopaedic complications were registered being significantly lower in regard with previous studies in similar contexts. 62 per cent of the assisted patients could get back their initial scale of disability. Conclusions: The results obtained showed the level of experience reached by the specialists using the new technologies at the surgical act.</p