Pattern of Hip Fractures in the Elderly at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital

Hip fractures in the elderly are associated with high mortality, prolonged hospitalisation, and significant loss of independence, making them a major orthopaedic public health challenge. This retrospective descriptive study reviews the pattern of hip fractures in patients aged 60 years and above presenting at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, North Central Nigeria, over a three-year period. Hospital records will be reviewed for fracture type (femoral neck versus intertrochanteric), mechanism of injury, time to surgical intervention, operative management, pre-morbid functional status, and in-hospital mortality rate. Demographic variables including age, sex, comorbidities, and ambulatory status prior to fracture will be documented. Outcome analysis will include length of hospital stay, post-operative ambulation, and 30-day mortality. The study hypothesises that intertrochanteric fractures are more prevalent and associated with higher mortality in this population. Findings will be reported to the geriatric orthopaedic unit at UATH and to the Federal Ministry of Health to advocate for fast-track hip fracture care pathways and dedicated geriatric orthopaedic services. This study contributes to the literature on elderly orthopaedic care in North Central Nigeria, addressing a data gap relevant to the growing geriatric population in urban Nigerian centres. Keywords: hip fractures, elderly, geriatric orthopaedics, Abuja, femoral neck.