FREQUENCY OF FEMORAL FRACTURES;

COMPARISON IN PATIENTS LESS THAN AND MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Background: To compare the frequency of various types of fractures of femur in patients less than and more than 40 years of
age in a tertiary care hospital. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Emergency department. Period: January 2009 to April 2011.
Method: A total of 1756 patients were divided into two groups with respect to age. Then they were further categorized according to the part of
femur involved, and compared in both age groups. Results: The study was conducted on a total number of 1756 patients over a period of 2 years
from 2009 to 2011. 51.1% patients were less than 40 years of age and 48.9% patients were more than 40 years of age. In patients more than 40
years of age, pertrochanteric fracture was most common (86.40%). In patients less than 40 years of age, mid shaft of femur was most common
region involved (87.02%). Conclusions: The incidence of proximal femur fractures is high in elderly patients because of several factors like
osteoporosis, visual impairment and cognitive disability. Whereas incidence of fractures of mid-shaft of femur is more common in young
patients.