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AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline: Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly.

Roberts, Brox·J Am Acad Orthop Surg·2015·193 citations·Trauma
DOI·PubMed
SummaryAbstract on PubMed →

This 2015 AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline covers the full episode of care for elderly hip fractures. It distills 169 primary studies into 25 graded recommendations — 8 strong, 15 moderate, 2 limited. Topics span ED analgesia, imaging, surgical technique selection, anesthesia, transfusion, rehabilitation, and secondary fracture prevention.

Study Snapshot

Key Findings

  • Arthroplasty is the strongly evidence-backed treatment for displaced (unstable) femoral neck fractures. Fixation in this setting carries higher failure rates, and the guideline does not support it as a default choice.
  • A cephalomedullary nail is strongly supported for subtrochanteric and reverse obliquity fractures. For stable intertrochanteric fractures, either a sliding hip screw or cephalomedullary device is acceptable (moderate evidence) — fracture pattern drives implant selection.
  • The transfusion threshold in asymptomatic postoperative patients is 8 g/dL (strong evidence). An RCT found no difference in delirium rates comparing 8 g/dL vs 10 g/dL triggers. Given historical transfusion rates exceeding 30% in this population, applying this threshold has direct cost and complication implications.
  • Surgery within 48 hours is associated with better outcomes (moderate evidence), but the evidence is confounded: medically delayed patients have the highest baseline mortality, so the timing benefit is real but hard to isolate. Push for early surgery in medically optimized patients.
  • Posterior approach carries higher dislocation rates than anterolateral for hip arthroplasty in displaced femoral neck fractures (moderate evidence). Cemented femoral stems are preferred over uncemented due to lower periprosthetic fracture rates in osteoporotic bone (moderate evidence).
  • Unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty yield similar outcomes for displaced femoral neck fractures. Implant choice between these two does not change results. Total hip arthroplasty offers benefit over hemiarthroplasty in properly selected patients (moderate evidence), but surgeon experience must factor into the decision.
  • MRI is the preferred imaging for occult hip fractures not seen on plain radiographs (moderate evidence). A negative CT does not exclude fracture. Do not stop at a negative CT if clinical suspicion persists.
  • General and spinal anesthesia produce equivalent outcomes (strong evidence). Strong evidence also supports preoperative regional analgesia, multimodal postoperative pain management, intensive post-discharge physical therapy, and interdisciplinary care for patients with mild-to-moderate dementia. All targeting the common enemy: delirium.
Board PearlFor displaced femoral neck fractures use arthroplasty; for subtrochanteric fractures use a cephalomedullary nail; transfuse only below 8 g/dL.

Clinical Relevance

Every elderly patient presenting with hip pain after a fall runs through this guideline whether you realize it or not. When you take a displaced femoral neck fracture to the OR, the decision tree is: arthroplasty (not fixation), cemented stem, anterolateral approach preferred over posterior, and hemi vs THA based on patient activity level and surgeon experience.

For subtrochanteric and reverse obliquity patterns, the answer is a cephalomedullary nail — the sliding hip screw is not appropriate here.

Postoperatively, hold transfusion until hemoglobin drops below 8 g/dL in the asymptomatic patient. Push for OR within 48 hours in medically stable patients, recognizing that those who are delayed for medical reasons already carry the highest mortality regardless of timing.

If plain films are negative but the patient cannot bear weight and clinical suspicion is high, order MRI. A negative CT is not sufficient to rule out occult fracture.

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Reference

AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline: Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly.

Roberts, Brox·J Am Acad Orthop Surg·2015·193 citations·Trauma
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|

AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline: Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly.

Roberts, Brox·J Am Acad Orthop Surg·2015·193 citations·Trauma
DOI·PubMed
SummaryAbstract on PubMed →

This 2015 AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline covers the full episode of care for elderly hip fractures. It distills 169 primary studies into 25 graded recommendations — 8 strong, 15 moderate, 2 limited. Topics span ED analgesia, imaging, surgical technique selection, anesthesia, transfusion, rehabilitation, and secondary fracture prevention.

Study Snapshot

Key Findings

  • Arthroplasty is the strongly evidence-backed treatment for displaced (unstable) femoral neck fractures. Fixation in this setting carries higher failure rates, and the guideline does not support it as a default choice.
  • A cephalomedullary nail is strongly supported for subtrochanteric and reverse obliquity fractures. For stable intertrochanteric fractures, either a sliding hip screw or cephalomedullary device is acceptable (moderate evidence) — fracture pattern drives implant selection.
  • The transfusion threshold in asymptomatic postoperative patients is 8 g/dL (strong evidence). An RCT found no difference in delirium rates comparing 8 g/dL vs 10 g/dL triggers. Given historical transfusion rates exceeding 30% in this population, applying this threshold has direct cost and complication implications.
  • Surgery within 48 hours is associated with better outcomes (moderate evidence), but the evidence is confounded: medically delayed patients have the highest baseline mortality, so the timing benefit is real but hard to isolate. Push for early surgery in medically optimized patients.
  • Posterior approach carries higher dislocation rates than anterolateral for hip arthroplasty in displaced femoral neck fractures (moderate evidence). Cemented femoral stems are preferred over uncemented due to lower periprosthetic fracture rates in osteoporotic bone (moderate evidence).
  • Unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty yield similar outcomes for displaced femoral neck fractures. Implant choice between these two does not change results. Total hip arthroplasty offers benefit over hemiarthroplasty in properly selected patients (moderate evidence), but surgeon experience must factor into the decision.
  • MRI is the preferred imaging for occult hip fractures not seen on plain radiographs (moderate evidence). A negative CT does not exclude fracture. Do not stop at a negative CT if clinical suspicion persists.
  • General and spinal anesthesia produce equivalent outcomes (strong evidence). Strong evidence also supports preoperative regional analgesia, multimodal postoperative pain management, intensive post-discharge physical therapy, and interdisciplinary care for patients with mild-to-moderate dementia. All targeting the common enemy: delirium.
Board PearlFor displaced femoral neck fractures use arthroplasty; for subtrochanteric fractures use a cephalomedullary nail; transfuse only below 8 g/dL.

Clinical Relevance

Every elderly patient presenting with hip pain after a fall runs through this guideline whether you realize it or not. When you take a displaced femoral neck fracture to the OR, the decision tree is: arthroplasty (not fixation), cemented stem, anterolateral approach preferred over posterior, and hemi vs THA based on patient activity level and surgeon experience.

For subtrochanteric and reverse obliquity patterns, the answer is a cephalomedullary nail — the sliding hip screw is not appropriate here.

Postoperatively, hold transfusion until hemoglobin drops below 8 g/dL in the asymptomatic patient. Push for OR within 48 hours in medically stable patients, recognizing that those who are delayed for medical reasons already carry the highest mortality regardless of timing.

If plain films are negative but the patient cannot bear weight and clinical suspicion is high, order MRI. A negative CT is not sufficient to rule out occult fracture.

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