Prospective study of the functional outcome of uncemented bipolar hemiarhroplasty in displaced fracture neck of femur in elderly

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Hip fractures in older patients are associated with impaired mobility, excess morbidity, mortality and loss of independence. To avoid the drawbacks of internal fixation and for early mobilization, hemiarthroplasty is performed in elderly. The bipolar prosthesis was developed to overcome the shortcomings of the unipolar fixed-head prosthesis. An additional site of motion would be expected to decrease the amount of loosening, dislocation, and head migration. The aim of the study is to assess the functional outcome of the patients with fracture neck of femur treated with bipolar hemiarthroplasty.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> In this study, 20 patients above the age of 60 years with acute displaced fracture neck of femur underwent hemireplacement arthroplasty with bipolar prosthesis in Department of Orthopaedics, KIMS, Bangalore. The patients were followed up on 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th week post operatively. Functional outcome was assessed with Harris hip score.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In our study, mean average age was 72.3 years with predominantly female patients with 75% of the patients with left sided fracture. 95% of the patients had slight or no pain, 85% of patients had slight or no limp. 50% of the patients could walk without support, 65% of the patients could walk a distance of 6 blocks or more. Average Harris hip score was 82%.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> These results suggest functional outcome following bipolar hemiarthroplasty is good. Early mobilisation, pain free hip and with good level of activity is obtained following bipolar hemiarthroplasty.</p>