A Prospective Study Comparing the Functional Outcome of Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty Versus Total Hip Replacement in Elderly Patients With Fracture of the Neck of Femur

Abstract

Displaced fractures of the neck of femur in elderly patients usually require surgical intervention, with either bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) or total hip replacement (THR). However, there is still controversy regarding the optimal prosthesis. The present study was performed to compare the functional outcome of BHA versus THR in elderly patients with displaced fracture of the neck of femur. This prospective study was conducted between December 2019 and December 2021. This study included 40 patients with displaced fracture of the neck of femur. All patients were more than 60 years of age. The patients were randomly allocated to be treated with either BHA or THR. Functional assessment was done using Harris hip scores at one month, three months, six months, and one year postoperatively. In our study, at all follow-ups, the Harris hip score was found to be more in patients in the THR group than in the BHA group. In the BHA group, the mean Harris hip scores were 59.95, 66.25, 68.80, and 75.70 at the follow-up visits at one month, three months, six months, and one year, respectively, while in the THR group, the mean Harris hip scores were 65.06, 69.40 72.50, and 78.19, respectively. THR is a better option as compared to BHA in the management of elderly patients with fracture of the neck of femur on account of less complication rates and higher Harris hip scores.