Clinical features and walking ability in the early postoperative period after treatment of trochanteric hip fractures. Results with special reference to fracture type and surgical treatment.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the functional outcome during the early postoperative period (six weeks) in patients with trochanteric fractures. A consecutive series of 149 patients were randomized to treatment with either the DHS or Ender operative technique. 120 patients were available at review six weeks after surgery. Groups were comparable with respect to age (mean 77 years), sex ratio (73% women), type of fracture (59% and 55% unstable), experience level of the surgeon, prefracture health condition and ambulatory status. During follow-up eight patients died and there were 19 complications of neurologic and cardiovascular types equally spread among the two groups. All four infections were found in the DHS group. Orthopaedic hospital stay averaged 19 days and more patients in the Ender group could return to their previous home at time of discharge. At the six week visit 14% in the Ender group compared to 33% in the DHS group had not recovered functional walking distance (less than 15 m). All patients in the Ender group managed to walk, but 11% of the patients in the DHS group could not walk. Walking ability was most impaired for unstable fractures. It is concluded that the Ender technique will involve less operative trauma (shorter operations with less blood loss) and in the early postoperative period it can provide better conditions for walking and less need for further hospitalization than the DHS technique.