One year follow up of patients with fracture of the proximal femur.

AIMS To obtain 6 month and 1 year outcomes for all people over age 60 years admitted in one year to a base hospital with fracture of the proximal femur. METHODS Telephone follow up of all patients admitted with fracture of the proximal femur and administration of a basic, Barthel, and extended, Nottingham, index of activities of daily living. RESULTS Six month and 1 year mortality was 16 and 28%. Those people living in an institution at the time of fracture and those with higher prefracture dependency had a higher mortality. Reoperation rate at one year was 9%. Average dependency increased at 6 months and 1 year compared to prefracture dependency. Forty eight percent of survivors regained their prefracture Barthel score and 28% their prefracture Nottingham score at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS Mortality is similar to other studies. The high levels of permanent disability following fracture suggest on going home support is needed and that domiciliary rehabilitation within the first 6 months of discharge may be needed.