This review article begins by reminding us that there are over 250,000 hip fractures in the U.S. each year. Ninety percent of the fractures occur in patients over 50 years old. The incidence increases with age, doubling for each decade after 50 years, and is 2 to 3 times higher in women than in men. The incidence is two to three times higher in white women than in nonwhite women. Other risk factors for hip fracture include a maternal history of hip fracture, excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine, physical inactivity, low body weight, tall stature, previous hip fracture, use of certain psychotropic medications, residenc e in an institution, visual impairment, and dementia.
Osteoporosis is a contributing factor.
The type of reconstructive surgery after a hip fracture depends on the characteristics of the fracture and the patient. For example, patients with symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis of the hip generally require total hip replacement after a fracture. Postoperative care should include early mobilization to guard against thromboembolic complications, such as deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary emboli. Complications from surgical treatment for hip fractures are rare. The mortality rate among elderly patients one year after a hip fracture ranges from 14 to 36 percent.