Modern methods of treating hip fractures

Contemporary surgical and anaesthetic methods should enable almost all hip fractures to be treated surgically. Many of the implants used for the internal fixation of hip fractures or the arthroplasties for replacement of the hip joint have been in use for over 50 years. Marked improvements in surgical technique have led to lower fracture and surgical complications. Undisplaced intracapsular fractures and displaced fractures in the younger patient are best treated by internal fixation. For the elderly with a displaced intracapsular fracture then hemiarthroplasty is generally used. There is insufficient evidence that total hip replacements or bipolar hemiarthroplasties have any advantage over the more traditional designs. For trochanteric fractures the sliding hip screw remains the implant of choice, although the newer intramedullary nails are valuable for more specific fracture types and their use will become more common. Following surgery almost all patients should be allowed to mobilize without any restrictions on weight bearing or hip movements.