Edema in the lower limb of patients operated on for proximal femoral fractures

Edema in the lower limb of patients operated on for proximal femoral fractures

J Trauma. 2007 Mar

Kazmi SS,
Stranden E,
Kroese AJ,
Slagsvold CE,
Diep LM,
Stromsoe K,
Jorgensen JJ.

BACKGROUND: Patients with proximal femoral fracture (PFF) often develop postoperative edema in the operated limb. This may lead to reduced mobilization, increasing the length of hospitalization. It is therefore relevant to gain information about the extent and pathogenesis of this edema formation.

METHODS: Forty-one patients with PFF (30 women and 11 men) were studied pre- and postoperatively. Patients were grouped into pertrochanteric fractures and femoral cervical fractures, according to the AO/ASIF classification of PFF. Thigh and calf volumes were calculated in both fractured and contralateral limbs preoperatively and on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, and 30.

RESULTS: All patients with PFF developed edema in the operated limb. The greatest volume increase occurred on postoperative day 7 (p <>

CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative edema in the thigh and leg of the operated limb was considerable. The magnitude of edema formation was related to the severity of primary trauma and the type of osteosynthesis. Therefore, the operation performed for PFF should be minimally traumatic.

PMID: 17414351 [PubMed - in process]