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The effect of postoperative weight-bearing status on mortality rate following proximal femoral fractures surgery

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Proximal femur fractures are associated with an increased mortality rate in the elderly. Early weight-bearing presents as a modifiable factor that may reduce negative postoperative outcomes and complications. As such, we aimed to compare non-weight-bearing, partial-weight-bearing and full weight-bearing cohorts, in terms of risk factors and postoperative outcomes and complications.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our database to identify the three cohorts based on the postoperative weight-bearing status the day of surgery from 2003 to 20014. We collected data on numerous risk factors, including age, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), pulmonary embolism (PE), surgical fixation method and diagnosis type. We also collected data on postoperative outcomes, including the number of days of hospitalization, pain levels, and mortality rate. We performed a univariate and multivariate analysis; P < 0.05 was the significant threshold.

Results

There were 186 patients in the non-weight-bearing group, 127 patients in the partial-weight-bearing group and 1791 patients in the full weight-bearing group. We found a significant difference in the type of diagnosis between cohorts (P < 0.001 in univariate, P < 0.001 in multivariate), but not in fixation type (P < 0.001 in univariate, but P = 0.76 in multivariate). The full weight-bearing group was diagnosed most with pertrochanteric fracture, 48.0%, and used Richard’s nailing predominantly. Finally, we found that age was not a significant determinant of mortality rate but only weight-bearing cohort (P = 0.13 vs. P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

We recommend early weight-bearing, which may act to decrease the mortality rate compared to non-weight-bearing and partial weight-bearing. In addition, appropriate expectations and standardizations should be set since age and type of diagnosis act as significant predictors of weight-bearing status.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tel Aviv Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Tel Aviv University, Weizmann St 6, 6423906, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

    Jeremy Dubin

  2. Assuta Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Science and Ben Gurion University, Ha-Refu’a St 7, 7747629, Ashdod, Israel

    Ran Atzmon & Michael Drexler

  3. Meir Hospital, Orthopedic Department, Sapir Medical Center, Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tchernichovsky St 59, 4428164, Kefar Sava, Israel

    Nissim Ohana, Meir Nyska & Esequiel Palmanovich

Authors
  1. Ran Atzmon
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  2. Michael Drexler
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  3. Nissim Ohana
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  4. Meir Nyska
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  5. Esequiel Palmanovich
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  6. Jeremy Dubin
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Correspondence to Jeremy Dubin.

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Atzmon, R., Drexler, M., Ohana, N. et al. The effect of postoperative weight-bearing status on mortality rate following proximal femoral fractures surgery. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 142, 947–953 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03721-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03721-y

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