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Orthopedic Trauma

Hip Fracture

Hip fracture requires rapid confirmation, perioperative medical optimization without avoidable delay, fracture-pattern–appropriate fixation or arthroplasty, early rehabilitation, and secondary fracture prevention. In older adults, care is defined as much by delirium, thrombotic, functional, and mortality risk as by the operation.

Clinical question: How should physicians coordinate diagnosis, timely surgery, perioperative optimization, rehabilitation, and secondary prevention after hip fracture?

Initial Approach

Treat suspected hip fracture as a time-sensitive geriatric emergency

The first priorities are confirmation, analgesia, risk assessment, and preparation for definitive surgery.

Hip fracture predominantly affects older adults after a fall from standing height in the setting of osteoporosis or osteopenia, although fractures also occur after high-energy trauma in younger patients. JAMAArtificial Intelligence for Hip Fracture Detection and ...PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPubMedFemoral Neck Fractures - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH The immediate clinical task is not solely fracture identification: assess physiologic reserve, baseline mobility and cognition, anticoagulation and coagulopathy, anemia, renal function, and acute reversible illness that could materially alter anesthetic or surgical safety. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fracture

Most patients require operative management. JAMAArtificial Intelligence for Hip Fracture Detection and ...PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf Avoid broad, low-yield preoperative testing or medication changes that defer surgery without correcting an actionable problem. In a large observational study, surgery delayed beyond 24 hours was associated with increased 30-day mortality risk; overall 30-day mortality was 7.0%. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ... Timing must nevertheless be individualized when active instability or a correctable condition requires treatment.

Immediate decision domains in hip fracture care. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fracture
DomainActionable focusClinical consequence
Medical readinessAssess anemia, renal function, coagulation status, and acute comorbidity; type and crossmatch. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfIdentifies correctable operative and anesthetic risks without substituting routine optimization for timely surgery. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Medication reviewFor ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy used only for essential hypertension, consider withholding during the 24 hours before surgery to reduce perioperative hypotension; weigh continuation individually in chronic heart failure. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fractureReduces hypotension risk while avoiding indiscriminate interruption of heart-failure therapy. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fracture
Beta-blockersDo not initiate beta-blockers immediately before surgery in patients not already receiving them; continue chronic beta-blockade for systolic heart failure unless decompensation is present. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fractureAvoids immediate preoperative bradycardia and hypotension while preserving indicated chronic therapy. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fracture
Surgical timingExpedite definitive surgery once medically appropriate. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...WileyGuideline for the management of hip fractures 2020 - GriffithsPubMedHip fracture: management - NCBI BookshelfDelay beyond 24 hours was associated with increased 30-day mortality in observational data. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...

Definitive Treatment

Match the operation to fracture location, stability, and patient factors

Fracture morphology and displacement determine the principal fixation-versus-arthroplasty decision.

Hip fractures encompass intracapsular femoral-neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPubMedFemoral Neck Fractures - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH Femoral-neck displacement carries particular relevance because femoral-head blood supply courses along the neck; this concern is especially consequential in displaced fractures and in younger patients. PubMedFemoral Neck Fractures - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH Surgical planning should integrate fracture pattern, displacement, physiologic status, preinjury function, and expected capacity for postoperative rehabilitation.

For subtrochanteric and reverse-obliquity fractures, AAOS guidance reports strong evidence supporting a cephalomedullary device. PubMedThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly The supplied evidence does not provide sufficient detail to support a specific device, implant, or postoperative weight-bearing prescription for every other fracture pattern; use current institutional orthopedic protocols and the complete contemporary guideline for these decisions.

Fracture-pattern considerations supported by available sources. PubMedThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the ElderlyPubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPubMedFemoral Neck Fractures - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH
PatternKey decision issueSupported management point
Femoral neckIntracapsular location and displacement affect concern for femoral-head vascular injury. PubMedFemoral Neck Fractures - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIHUse orthopedic assessment to guide fixation versus arthroplasty planning; no specific selection rule is supported by the supplied results. PubMedFemoral Neck Fractures - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH
IntertrochantericAssess stability and fixation requirements. PubMedThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the ElderlyPubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfThe supplied evidence supports operative management broadly but does not provide a granular implant recommendation. JAMAArtificial Intelligence for Hip Fracture Detection and ...PubMedThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the ElderlyPubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Subtrochanteric or reverse obliquityMechanical instability requires durable fixation. PubMedThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the ElderlyCephalomedullary device is strongly supported by AAOS evidence. PubMedThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly

Preoperative optimization without harmful delay

Medical optimization should target reversible conditions rather than pursue routine normalization of chronic disease. Enhanced-recovery principles described for acute hip fracture include minimizing catabolic fasting, reducing opioid exposure when feasible, and using regional anesthesia when possible. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fracture Clear carbohydrate drinks up to 2 hours before surgery are described in this review as a strategy associated with less delirium and acute kidney injury, but local anesthesia and fasting policies should govern implementation. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fracture

Inpatient Management

Prevent immobility-related complications and mobilize through multidisciplinary care

Postoperative care should be organized around mobility restoration, delirium avoidance, complication surveillance, and discharge readiness.

Recovery requires more than technically successful fixation or arthroplasty. Rehabilitation guidance emphasizes multidisciplinary management, physical and occupational therapy, management of comorbidities and complications, and planning for community-based rehabilitation after intensive treatment. PubMedClinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip Fractures Rehabilitation goals include restoration of mobility and physical function, improvement in quality of life, and reduction of refracture and mortality risk. PubMedClinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip Fractures

Pain, venous thrombosis, urinary tract infection, osteoporosis, and nutrition are recognized post-fracture rehabilitation issues. PubMedClinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip Fractures The supplied sources do not provide enough evidence to specify an analgesic regimen, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis drug, dose, duration, or universal mobilization timeline; apply current institution-specific orthopedic, anesthesia, and thromboprophylaxis protocols.

Postoperative domains requiring active coordination. PubMedClinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip FracturesPubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI BookshelfPubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
DomainWhat to assessWhy it matters
FunctionPrefracture mobility, transfer ability, self-care capacity, and therapy progress. PubMedClinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip FracturesPubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI BookshelfDetermines rehabilitation intensity, destination, and needed caregiver support. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI Bookshelf
Medical complicationsPain, venous thrombosis, urinary tract infection, nutrition, and comorbidity management. PubMedClinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip FracturesThese can delay recovery and reduce functional gains. PubMedClinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Rehabilitation in Older Patients With Hip Fractures
Cognition and delirium riskBaseline cognition and postoperative mental-status changes. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fractureDelirium prevention is a component of enhanced-recovery approaches. ccjmUpdate on medical management of acute hip fracture
Secondary preventionFalls risk and osteoporosis evaluation before transition from fracture care. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfA hip fracture identifies a patient at high risk for future skeletal morbidity. Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis Medication Use After Hip Fracture in U.S. ...Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis in Men: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice ...PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

After the Acute Episode

Use hip fracture as a mandatory secondary prevention trigger

The fracture episode should close with a documented plan for bone health and recurrent-fall risk.

A hip fracture should prompt osteoporosis assessment and treatment planning rather than deferral to an unspecified outpatient visit. Geriatric involvement is specifically relevant to osteoporosis investigation and falls-risk assessment during recovery. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf In men aged 50 years or older, Endocrine Society guidance recommends pharmacologic treatment after a hip or spine fracture, independent of bone mineral density, and also recommends treatment for a T-score of −2.5 or lower or high fracture risk. Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis in Men: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice ...

U.S. observational data have documented low osteoporosis medication treatment rates after hip fracture, despite the position that affected patients should be considered for FDA-approved osteoporosis medication. Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis Medication Use After Hip Fracture in U.S. ... The supplied search results do not provide medication-specific selection criteria, doses, renal thresholds, sequencing, or monitoring; avoid prescribing details beyond current labeling and comprehensive osteoporosis guidance.

Secondary prevention actions after hip fracture. Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis Medication Use After Hip Fracture in U.S. ...Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis in Men: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice ...PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
ActionEvidence-supported rationaleImplementation limitation
Osteoporosis assessmentHip-fracture care should include evaluation for osteoporosis and calcium abnormalities. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfSpecific laboratory and imaging protocols are not defined in the supplied sources. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Pharmacotherapy decisionPatients with hip fracture should be considered for FDA-approved osteoporosis medication; men aged 50 years or older with hip fracture meet Endocrine Society treatment criteria. Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis Medication Use After Hip Fracture in U.S. ...Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis in Men: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice ...Agent selection and dosing require current drug labeling and osteoporosis guidance not supplied here. Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis Medication Use After Hip Fracture in U.S. ...Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis in Men: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice ...
Falls-risk assessmentGeriatric medicine involvement includes assessment of falls risk. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfThe supplied sources do not specify a validated fall-risk instrument or intervention bundle. PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

Prognosis

Frame prognosis around survival, mobility, and living independence

Prognosis should guide goals-of-care discussions, rehabilitation planning, and caregiver counseling.

Hip fracture carries substantial short- and long-term risk. In a large cohort evaluating surgical wait time, 30-day mortality was 7.0%. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ... Earlier U.S. effectiveness-research synthesis reported excess 1-year mortality of 12% to 25%, impaired ambulation, and institutionalization in 33% or more of survivors; some studies reported long-term care needs in as many as 50% of patients. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI Bookshelf These estimates should support honest counseling but should not replace individualized prognostication based on baseline function, cognition, comorbidity, fracture pattern, perioperative course, and rehabilitation response.

The most useful communication is functional: establish whether the expected goal is restoration of prior community mobility, transfer-level independence, limited ambulation, or comfort-focused care. Rehabilitation needs and setting depend on the number of problems to address, severity of functional deficits, severity of comorbid conditions, and access to alternative services. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI Bookshelf

Outcome data useful for prognostic discussions. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI Bookshelf
OutcomeReported estimateInterpretation
30-day mortality7.0% overall in a cohort of adults undergoing hip-fracture surgery. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...Short-term mortality is clinically material and may rise with surgical delay beyond 24 hours. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...
Excess 1-year mortality12% to 25%. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI BookshelfOlder synthesis; use as contextual, not individualized, prognostic information. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI Bookshelf
Institutionalization33% or more of survivors in some studies. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI BookshelfSupports early discharge planning and caregiver counseling. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI Bookshelf

Common questions

Should hip-fracture surgery be delayed for extensive medical optimization?

Correct reversible instability and clinically meaningful acute problems, but avoid nonessential delay. Waiting longer than 24 hours was associated with increased 30-day mortality risk in observational data. JAMAWait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip ...

Which fracture pattern has a clear implant recommendation in the available evidence?

AAOS guidance strongly supports a cephalomedullary device for subtrochanteric or reverse-obliquity fractures. PubMedThe American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly

What osteoporosis action is supported after hip fracture?

Arrange osteoporosis evaluation and treatment ownership. Hip-fracture patients should be considered for FDA-approved osteoporosis medication; men aged 50 years or older with hip fracture meet Endocrine Society treatment criteria. Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis Medication Use After Hip Fracture in U.S. ...Oxford AcademicOsteoporosis in Men: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice ...PubMedHip Fracture Overview - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

What should determine rehabilitation disposition after hip fracture?

Base disposition on functional deficits, comorbidity severity, rehabilitation needs, and access to alternative support services. PubMedThe Knowledge Base for Key Clinical Issues in Hip Fracture - Hip Fracture: Setting Priorities for Effectiveness Research - NCBI Bookshelf

References

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