Proximal femoral fracture: achievements and prospects

Proximal femoral fracture patients, most of them elderly and female, occupy 20% of all orthopedic beds in the United Kingdom at any given time. Frequently they develop complex problems. Smoking and a more sedentary lifestyle may contribute to the rising incidence. Widely accepted uniform instruments for health status and outcomes are needed. They should be suitable for application to various treatment regimes in various hospitals. Prevention, risk factors, mortality and post-surgical management are discussed.