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Subtrochanteric femoral fractures: influence of patient age on fracture type and mobility

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Abstract

Background

To investigate the potential influence of patient age on fracture type and postoperative mobility in subtrochanteric femoral fractures.

Methods

Data for patients who had suffered subtrochanteric femoral fractures between 2004 and 2009 were analyzed in a retrospective single-center study at a level I trauma center. Age, sex, accident cause, fracture type (Seinsheimer, Russell–Taylor, and AO classifications) and mobility at different time points (pre-trauma, after 3, 6, and 12 months, and current) were collected using the patient files, radiographs, and phone enquiries. The patients were divided into groups aged <65 and ≥65 years. Significant associations between age and fracture type and mobility were investigated using Fisher’s exact test, Levene’s test, t test, and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

A total of 91 patients were evaluated. There were 38 patients in group I (<65 years) and 53 in group II (≥65 years). The trauma leading to the fracture was greater in group I than in group II (P < 0.01), and group I also had a larger number of concomitant injuries (P < 0.01). There was a smaller proportion of women in group I (38 vs. 75.5 %; P < 0.01). Group II had higher grades in the Russell–Taylor fracture classification (P < 0.05) and more frequently had type A fractures in the AO classification (P < 0.05). No differences between the groups were found when the Seinsheimer classification was applied. With regard to postoperative mobility, there was better mobility in group I after 12 months and at the last follow-up examination (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Older patients (≥65 years old) more often had type II fractures according to the Russell–Taylor classification, type A fractures in the AO classification, and poorer postoperative mobility over the long term than patients <65 years old.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Sabine Karl of the Institute of Mathematics at the University of Würzburg for her help and advice on the statistics, and to Mrs. Eva Ziebel for her help with data aquisition.

Conflict of interest

The study was conducted in compliance with the current laws. None of the authors has any conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma, Hand-, Plastic-, and Reconstructive Surgery, Würzburg University Hospital, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany

    Hendrik Jansen, Stefanie Doht, Sönke P. Frey & Rainer H. Meffert

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  1. Hendrik Jansen
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  2. Stefanie Doht
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  3. Sönke P. Frey
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  4. Rainer H. Meffert
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Correspondence to Hendrik Jansen.

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Jansen, H., Doht, S., Frey, S.P. et al. Subtrochanteric femoral fractures: influence of patient age on fracture type and mobility. J Orthop Sci 18, 451–455 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-013-0372-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-013-0372-7

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