Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Cases of secondary contralateral hip fractures in old people with hip fractures are increasing every year.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of secondary contralateral hip fractures among elderly patient and to improve the understanding of second contralateral hip fractures.
METHODS: From January 2001 to July 2011, a total of 567 cases of unilateral hip fractures and 30 cases of secondary contralateral hip fractures in the elderly were selected. The incidence, fractures type, age, gender, bone mineral density, osteoporosis, re-fracture interval, and complications of secondary contralateral hip fractures were analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The age, gender and bone mineral density in the unilateral hip fractures and secondary contralateral hip fractures cases were approximate. The incidence of secondary contralateral hip fracture among the elderly who suffered hip fracture was 5.0%. The rate of the contralateral hip fracture in intertrochanteric fractures was higher than that in the femoral neck fractures (P=0.018). The incidence of osteoporosis in the secondary contralateral hip fracture group was higher than that in the unilateral fracture group (P=0.032). The average interval between the two fractures was 2.4 years, with most of secondary contralatera hip fractures occurring within one year, accounting for 40.1%. It is indicated that the incidence of secondary contralatera hip fractures is significantly high in the elderly. For patients who have osteoporosis, a variety of associated complications and intertrochanteric fractures should be strengthened prevention in order to prevent the re-occurrence of hip fracture.