Abstract

A prospective study of 125 elderly patients (over 65 years) with proximal femoral fracture was carried out to compare pre-fracture sociomedical factors with the local and general complications following surgical treatment, in predicting mortality and length of stay. A poor pre-fracture mental state was more important than associated physical illness in predicting mortality. Pre-fracture mobility state was the most useful early prognostic predictor of length of hospitalization. Post-operative general complications were the most significant in predicting mortality and length of hospitalization, and more important than failure of operative technique.