Incidence of Non-Simultaneous Contralateral Second Hip Fractures: A Single-Center Irish Study

Abstract

Introduction Hip fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and are also associated with increased healthcare costs. A second contralateral hip fracture can lead to even more complications and healthcare costs. A significant proportion of the Irish hip fracture population does not receive a bone health assessment or falls specialist assessment to reduce the risk of future falls and fractures. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of a non-simultaneous contralateral hip fracture in an Irish population. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1,344 patients presenting to our institution with a hip fracture from January 2007 to June 2019. Patients aged ≥ 60 years old presenting with a neck of femur or pertrochanteric fracture were included in our study. We excluded patients who had sub-trochanteric and femoral shaft fractures, high energy fractures, and pathological fractures. We also excluded patients less than 60 years old, as fractures in these younger patients may not be purely related to osteoporosis. Results A total of 1,099 hip fractures meeting the inclusion criteria were treated at our unit during the designated time period. A total of 102 (9.3%) patients experienced a second hip fracture. The mean age at first presentation in our institution was 78.5 years old, with a mean time between first and second hip fractures of 37.2 months. Conclusions Patients presenting with a second hip fracture may represent 9.3% of the Irish hip fracture population. We hope that this study will help inform on the rate of second hip fractures in an Irish population and help advocate for improved resources and implementation of secondary prevention strategies.

The Characteristics and Outcomes of Contralateral Non-Concurrent Hip Fractures: A Retrospective Study in Geriatric Patients

“…However, other studies have challenged these findings. For example, Patrick Nolan et al [ 20 ] found that patients presenting with a second hip fracture were mostly female. Gaumetou et al [ 21 ] also showed that first and second hip fractures were predominantly in women.…”

Distinctive Geometrical Traits of Proximal Femur Fractures—Original Article and Review of Literature

“…To be more precise, in the United States, a patient experiencing a proximal femoral fracture incurs approximately USD 40,000 in direct treatment costs and nearly USD 5000 for subsequent rehabilitation in the forthcoming years [6,7]. It is also worth mentioning that the average age of patients experiencing their initial proximal femoral fracture is 78.5 years, and that the mean duration until the occurrence of a second fracture is 37.2 months [8]. Furthermore, the first-year mortality rate increases by 21.2% in patients after their first hip fracture [9]; however, after their second hip fracture, this percentage is escalated to 55% [10].…”

Association of age, sex and race with prescription of anti-osteoporosis medications following low-energy hip fracture in a retrospective registry cohort

“…Patients who suffer a low-energy hip fracture are at imminent risk of future fragility fractures, including a second hip fracture [4,5]. Ten percent of patients hospitalized for a hip fracture will suffer a second hip fracture [4,5], with the highest risk of subsequent fracture within the first year [6][7][8]. There is strong evidence that initiation of anti-osteoporosis medication following hip fractures can significantly lower the risk of subsequent fractures [9] and may be associated with overall reduced mortality [10].…”