Retrospective comparative study of fracture neck of femur treated with Uni polar Vs bipolar hemiarthroplasty

Author(s): Dr. Naga Kumar JS, Dr. Anil Kumar SV, Dr. Arun HS, Dr. Jishnu and Dr. Keshav

Abstract: Background and Objective: Intracapsular femoral neck fractures are common in the elderly population. To avoid the poor outcome of internal fixation and for early mobilization, hemiarthroplasty is performed. However, there is inadequate evidence to support the choice between unipolar or bipolar hemiarthroplasty. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of unipolar with the bipolar prosthesis in geriatric patients especially in rural population of kolar.
Methods: sixty patients above 60 years of age and an acute displaced fracture of the femoral neck were randomly allocated to treatment by either unipolar or bipolar hemiarthroplasty, in the Department of Orthopaedics, between September 2009 and October 2012. Functional outcome was assessed and compared using Harris hip score and radiological parameters with a follow-up of one year.
Results: The two groups of patients with mean age of 68.3% in bipolar group and 69.9% in unipolar group did not differ in their pre-injury characteristics and perioperative parameters. There was no significant difference between a Moore’s and a bipolar prosthesis regarding hip pain, functional hip scores, rates of acetabular erosion, component migration, revision surgery and complications rates.
Conclusion: Use of the more expensive bipolar prosthesis in elderly and premorbidly ambulant patient is not justified especially in rural population.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2018.v4.i3a.02