High comorbidity index is not associated with high morbidity and mortality when employing constrained arthroplasty as a primary treatment for intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

Abstract

The aim of our study is to investigate the results of constrained total hip arthroplasty as a primary treatment of intertrochanteric fractures (ITF) in elderly patients with high comorbidities. Total hip replacement (THR) with a retentive cup was performed on 73 patients with ITF over the age of 54 years who had high comorbidities and a Charlson score above five. Short- and long-term complications were determined by follow-up. Bivariate analysis was conducted in order to determine the possible determinants of mortality and factors associated with comorbidity as measured by the Charlson comorbidities index. Patient demographics that consisted of females (58.9%) (p < 0.04) with the mean age of both males and females demonstrated no statistical significance. The mean hospitalization time and weight bearing time were 11 and 2.67 days, respectively. Only 4.1% needed re-intervention due to re-fracture and none due to prosthesis failure. There was a statistical significance between the comorbidity index and the mortality rate. However, no statistical significance was identified between the comorbidity index and the functional status after constrained THR. High comorbidity index is not associated with high morbidity and mortality when employing constrained arthroplasty as a primary treatment for ITF in elderly patients.