Fractures of the neck of femur are common in the older adult with significant morbidity and mortality rates. This patient cohort is associated with frailty and multiple complex medical and social needs requiring a multidisciplinary team to provide optimal care. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes at 5 years following implementation of a collaborative service between the Orthopaedic and Geriatric departments of Southland Hospital in 2012. Retrospective data was collected for patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted with a fragility hip fracture. Data was collated for 2011 (pre-implementation) and 2017 (post-implementation). Demographics and ASA scores were recorded. We assessed 30-day and 1-year mortality, surgical data, length of stay and complications. There were 74 patient admissions in 2011 and 107 in 2017. Mean age at surgery was 84.2 years in 2011 and 82.6 years in 2017 (p>0.05). Between the 2011 and 2017 groups there has been a non-significant reduction in length of stay on the orthopaedic ward (9.8 days vs 7.5 days, p=0.138) but a significant reduction in length of stay on the rehabilitation ward (19.9 vs 9 days, p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in frequency of patients with a complication (71.6% vs 57%, p=0.045) and a marginal reduction in number of complications (p=0.057). Through logistic regression controlling for age, sex and ASA score, there was a reduction in the odds of having a complication by 12% between 2011 and 2017 (p<0.001). There was no difference in mortality between the groups. The orthogeriatric model of care at Southland Hospital appears to have reduced both the frequency of complications and length of stay on the rehabilitation ward 5 years after its implementation. This is the first study in New Zealand demonstrating medium-term post-implementation follow-up of what is currently a nationally accepted standard model of care

Abstract. Introduction. The management of hip fractures has advanced on all aspects from prevention, specialised hip fracture units, early operative intervention and rehabilitation in line with increasing incidence in an aging population. Accurate data analysis on the incidence and trends of hip fractures is imperative to guide future management planning. Methods. A review of all articles published on mortality after hip fracture over a twenty year period (1999–2018) was undertaken to determine any changes that had occurred in the demographics and mortality over this period. This article complements and expands upon the findings of a previous article by the authors assessing a four decade period (1959 – 1998) and attempts to present trends and geographical variations over sixty years. Results. The mean age of patients sustaining hip fractures has increased from 73 years (1960s) to 81 years (2000s) to 82 years (2010s). Over the six decade period one-year mortality has reduced from 27% (1960s) to 20% (2010s). The proportion of female hip fractures has decreased from 84% (1960s) to 70% in 2010s. Intracapsular fractures have drecreased from 54% (1970s) to 49% (2000s) and 48% (2010s). Conclusion. Our study indicates that progress has been made with preventative planning, medical management, specialised orthogeriatric units and surgical expediency all playing a role in the improvements in mean age of hip fracture and reduction in mortality rates. While geographical variations do still exist there has been an increase in the study of hip fractures globally indicating increased attention and commitment to an

Introduction. Open fragility ankle fractures involve complex decision making. There is no consensus on the method of surgical management. Our aim in this study was to analyse current management of these patients in a major trauma centre (MTC). Materials & Methods. This cohort study evaluates the management of geriatric (≥65years) open ankle fractures in a MTC (November 2020–November 2022). The method, timing(s) and personnel involved in surgical care were assessed. Weightbearing status over the treatment course was monitored. Patient frailty was measured using the clinical frailty score (CFS). Results. There were 35 patients, mean age 77 years (range 65–97 years), 86% female. Mean length of admission in the MTC was 26.4 days (range 3–78). Most (94%) had a low-energy mechanism of injury. Only 57% of patients underwent one-stage surgery (ORIF n=15, hindfoot nail n=1, external frame n=4) with 45% being permitted to fully weightbear (FWB). Eleven (31.4%) underwent two-stage surgery (external fixator; ORIF), with 18% permitted to FWB. Of those patients with pre-injury mobility, 12 (66%) patients were able to FWB following definitive fixation. Delay in weightbearing ranged from 2–8weeks post-operatively. Seven patients (20%) underwent an initial Orthoplastic wound debridement. Ten patients (28.6%) required plastic surgery input (split-skin grafts n=9, local or free flaps n=3), whereby four patients (40%) underwent one stage Orthoplastic surgery. Eighteen (51.4%) patients had a CFS ≥5. Patients with a CFS of ≥7 had 60% 90-day mortality. Only 17% patients had orthogeriatrician input during admission. Conclusions. These patients have high frailty scores, utilise a relatively large portion of resources with multiple theatre attendances and protracted ward occupancy in an MTC. Early FWB status needs to be the goal of treatment, ideally in a single-staged procedure. Poor access to orthogeriatric care for these frail patients may represent healthcare inequality

Total hip replacement (THR) is NICE recommended for a group of patients with neck of femur fracture (NOF) and guidance published in 2011. In our institution a Hip Fracture Program was established at this time to improve patient care. An audit of the Hip Fracture Program, appropriateness of THR and management following THR was undertaken and compared to NICE standards, set at 100%, and National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) results. The case-notes for 53 patients (38 female, 15 male) undergoing THR for NOF between 2011 and 2013 were reviewed: median age 70 yrs (34–87), follow-up 28 months (3–57). All patients were initiated on a Hip Fracture Program. 92% were eligible for THR according to NICE guidance. Pre-operative pain management (67%), hourly assessment of pain in ED (4%), surgery with 48 hours (32%), pre-operative orthogeriatric review (58%) and intra-operative nerve block (38%) are areas for development, but most results are comparable to NHFD. Post-operative care is satisfactory with daily mobilisation (87%) and post-operative pain management (100%). No post-operative dislocation or infection was recorded. There was one case of post-operative DVT. This study highlights areas for improvement in hip fracture management and emphasises the benefits in implementing a Hip Fracture Program in this vulnerable patient population

Introduction. Renal homeostasis has been shown to influence mortality after hip fractures; this is true for patients with both chronic kidney disease, and those who develop acute renal dysfunction after surgery. We have examined the influence of impaired renal function upon mortality and length of stay. We investigated this relationship through accurate mathematical modelling of available biochemistry data on a cohort of hip fracture patients. Methods. Complete data were available for 566 patients treated over a 27-month period. All patients had urea and creatinine checked on admission, and at 24–48 hours after surgery. Post-operative analgesia, fluid therapy, transfusion protocols and orthogeriatric reviews were standardised. Generalised Linear Models and correlation matrices were used. Cox-proportional hazards analyses investigated the association between serum concentrations of urea and creatinine on admission and length of stay and mortality after surgery. Results. The cohort included 427 females and 139 males (mean age 80.6 years, mean post-operative length of stay 19 days). 1-year mortality was 19.1%. Urea and creatinine were significantly, positively correlated with age (more significant for urea). After adjusting for age and sex, risk of mortality was positively related to serum concentrations of creatinine and marginally so for urea. Increased age and a male gender were associated with a higher mortality risk. Risk of discharge from trauma ward, length of stay on trauma ward, and overall length of stay were not related to levels of creatinine and urea at admission. Conclusions. This study shows a quantifiable correlation between renal dysfunction and NOF mortality. The low risk of survival with both male sex and raised creatinine identified this subgroup as the ‘most at risk’. Both age and gender are non-modifiable factors, so this subgroup may require a more targeted approach to the management of their fluid and electrolyte homeostasis

Aim. A new multidisciplinary hip fracture pathway, based on national BOA and NICE guidance, was introduced in our institution to facilitate rapid preoperative medical optimisation and early surgery for patients with hip fractures. The aim of this audit was to assess its impact on patient care and outcomes. Method. A prospective audit of 161 patients admitted with a fractured neck of femur was conducted in the six months before (92 patients) and after (69 patients) implementation of the new pathway. Data included: time to orthogeriatric assessment (TtG); time to surgery (TtS); length of hospital stay (LOS); return to original accommodation; and inpatient mortality rate. Significance was tested using Chi Squared, Fisher's exact and unpaired Student t-Tests. Results. The two groups of patients were equivalent in terms of age, male:female ratio, ASA grade and preoperative AMTS. In the six months after the introduction of the pathway, 85% of patients received a pre-operative medical assessment compared to 19% before (p=0.0001). Average TtG dropped from 91 to 19 hours (p=0.0001). LOS dropped from 24.8 days to 19.5 days (p=0.029). Furthermore, a significant reduction in mortality of 10% (14% before, 4% after, p=0.0336) was found, with an increase in the proportion of patients returning to their original place of accommodation (57% before, 80% after, p=0.0069). Whilst limited by theatre scheduling, there was an observed reduction in TtS of 6 hours (37 vs 31, p=0.0663). Conclusions. Rapid medical optimisation and prompt surgery can significantly reduce length of stay and inpatient mortality of patients with hip fractures. This is especially important in light of their often fragile physiological state and complex co-morbidities. Successful implementation of a multidisciplinary hip fracture pathway can increase the return of patients to their preoperative accommodation, thus maintaining their level of pre-morbid independence and potentially leading to significant future cost savings

Aims

Hip fracture patients are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, and admission into hospital puts them at further risk. We implemented a two-site orthopaedic trauma service, with ‘COVID’ and ‘COVID-free’ hubs, to deliver urgent and infection-controlled trauma care for hip fracture patients, while increasing bed capacity for medical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the UK lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on the orthopaedic admissions, operations, training opportunities, and theatre efficiency in a large district general hospital.

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COVID-19 has changed the practice of orthopaedics across the globe. The medical workforce has dealt with this outbreak with varying strategies and adaptations, which are relevant to its field and to the region. As one of the ‘hotspots’ in the UK , the surgical branch of trauma and orthopaedics need strategies to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19.