Hip fractures in a well-documented skeletal sample from Argentina

PLISCHUK, M.; GARIZOAIN, G.; PEÑA, V.; DESÁNTOLO, B.; GARCÍA MANCUSO, R.; PONCE, P.

Jornada; 7th Portuguese Conference on Paleopathology; 2021

Fractures of the proximal epiphysis of thefemur exhibit a high level of morbidity and mortality and are considered to be a publichealth burden in terms of prevention and treatment. However, studies of hipfractures carried out with material from document ed skeletal collections are scarce. The objective of the present study is to establish the prevalence of hip fracturesin a contemporary skeletal collection. The skeletal material used in this studybelongs to the Lambre Osteological Collection (Argentina) . The sample analysed was comprised of 163skeletons, 100 males and63 females, ranging in age from 22 to 101years old (averaging 69.4 years) andwhose date of death spanned from 1900 to2001. The fractures were classified asintra or extra capsular and the orthopaedic elements present weredescribed,identified, and classified as partial ortotal arthroplasties. Eight hip fractures wereidentified, which represent a prevalencerate of 4.9%, six of them were representedby orthopaedic implants. Three of the individuals showed shortening and widening of the femoral neck whereas two casesexhibited angulation of the femoral head.All the affected individuals were olderthan 50 years of age, five of them were males(5%) and three were females (4,8%). The complexity of the joint, the extrememechanical load and the reduction in bonedensity led to consequences of different severities that are observed anddiscussed.