The patient’s second hip fracture – one in ten

Introduction The number of fragility hip fractures (>60 years) are estimated to triple/quadruple by 2050. It is estimated that the prevalence of patient’s contralateral hip fractures (HF2s) will increase also. 

Methods Single hospital, Retrospective review, 2013-2017, Radiograph review, n = 822. 

Results Management of patient’s 2nd hip fractures accounted for 10.5% of all hip fracture surgeries. ~50% occurred within 3 years of the 1st hip fracture. There was no statistically significant difference in discharge destination, length-of-stay or mortality between the HF1 and HF2 cohorts. 

Discussion Patients with HF2s comprised a significant and stable proportion of all hip fractures treated. We advocate for the provision of a Fracture Liaison Service in each of the 16 hip fracture operating hospitals in Ireland to optimise the secondary prevention of hip fractures.