Hip fractures in a well-documented skeletal sample from Argentina

PLISCHUK, M.; GARIZOAIN, G.; PEÑA, VICTORIA; DESÁNTOLO, B.; GARCÍA MANCUSO, R.; PONCE, PAOLA

Evora

Congreso; VII JORNADAS PORTUGUESAS DE PALEOPATOLOGIA: a saúde e a doença no passado; 2021

Universidade de Coimbra. Centro de Investigação em Antropologia e Saúde

Fractures of the proximal epiphysis of the femur exhibit a high level of morbidity and mortality and are considered to be a public health burden in terms of prevention and treatment. However, studies of hip fractures carried out with material from documented skeletal collections are scarce. The objective of the present study is to establish the prevalence of hip fractures in a contemporary skeletal collection. The skeletal material used in this study belongs to the Lambre Osteological Collection (Argentina). The sample analysed was comprised of 163 skeletons, 100 males and 63 females, ranging in age from 22 to 101 years old (averaging 69.4 years) and whose date of death spanned from 1900 to 2001. The fractures were classified as intra or extra capsular and the orthopaedic elements present were described, identified, and classified as partial or total arthroplasties. Eight hip fractures were identified, which represent a prevalence rate of 4.9%, six of them were represented by orthopaedic implants. Three of the individuals showed shortening and widening of the femoral neck whereas two cases exhibited angulation of the femoral head. All the affected individuals were older than 50 years of age, five of them were males (5%) and three were females (4,8%). The complexity of the joint, the extreme mechanical load and the reduction in bone density led to consequences of different severities that are observed and discussed.