Operative or conservative treatment for trochanteric fractures of the femur. A randomised epidemiological trial in elderly patients
Hornby, R.; Evans, J.G.; Vardon, V.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume 71(4): 619-623
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-620X PMID: 2670950 Document Number: 334650
All edlerly patients with extracapsular hip fractures seen in hospitals in Newcastle upon Tyne [ENGLAND,UK) over a 12-month period were studied and followed up for six moths. At one of the hospitals, patients were randomized to treatment by AO dynamic hip-screw or by traction. Complications specific to the two treatments were low, and general complications, six-month mortality and prevalence of pain, leg swelling and unhealed sores, showed no difference between the two modes of treatment. Operative treatment gave better anatomical results and a shorter hospital stay, but significantly more of the patients treated by traction showed loss of independence six months after injury.