Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly

- Introduction

Hip fractures represent a major public health challenge and are among the most serious consequences of osteoporosis and falls in older adults. They are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. With an aging population, the incidence of hip fractures is expected to continue rising, placing an increasing burden on healthcare systems and society^1,2.

Optimal outcomes following hip fracture depend on timely diagnosis, appropriate surgical management, comprehensive perioperative care, early mobilization, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and secondary fracture prevention. However, variations in clinical practice and institutional protocols may lead to inconsistencies in patient assessment, treatment selection, perioperative management, and rehabilitation, ultimately affecting patient outcomes^3,4.

Management of displaced intracapsular hip fractures, particularly completely displaced femoral neck fractures, remains an important area where treatment strategies may differ between institutions. Standardized, evidence-based recommendations are therefore essential to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate intervention based on current evidence, patient characteristics, functional status, and surgical expertise^5,6.

These Egyptian Guidelines for the Management of Hip Fractures have been developed to provide evidence-based, multidisciplinary recommendations for the assessment and management of adults with hip fractures. The guidelines aim to standardize care across healthcare settings in Egypt, improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, optimize resource utilization, and promote functional recovery and secondary fracture prevention.