Upon analyzing the data, it was evident that the quality of life and patient satisfaction were significantly higher in the THA group compared to the BHA group. This finding aligns with several prior studies and highlights the potential benefits of THA in enhancing patient outcomes.
Lewis et al. (2019) conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of 1,364 cases of femoral head fractures, concluding that THA was superior in terms of reoperation risk, Harris Hip Score, and overall quality of life. While their analysis highlighted a higher complication risk for BHA within the first four years post-surgery, it diminished over time. Our findings, limited to a follow-up period of 1–2 years, support the notion that THA provides better quality of life and patient satisfaction without significant differences in dislocation rates, suggesting the need for longer-term studies to fully capture the complication profiles of both procedures.(29)
Ekhtiary (2020) reviewed 16 studies encompassing 3,084 femoral neck fracture cases and reported marginally higher quality of life scores in the THA group, with no significant differences in dislocation rates or other postoperative complications. This corroborates our results, reinforcing THA's superiority in enhancing patient satisfaction and quality of life.(30)
Suarez et al. (2020), in a retrospective analysis of 16,213 cases, found that THA was associated with fewer complications over a shorter follow-up period compared to BHA. Their findings support our conclusion that THA is preferable for improving patient outcomes. Additionally, Teng et al. (2020) in a systematic meta-analysis of 25 studies, concluded that THA outperformed BHA in terms of quality of life, Harris Hip Score within 1–5 years post-operation, and reduced risk of acetabular erosion. However, BHA demonstrated advantages in terms of shorter hospitalization duration, reduced bleeding, and shorter operation time, reflecting a balanced consideration of both procedures based on specific patient needs and surgical contexts.(31)
Lee and Lu (2021) compared 413,140 hemiarthroplasty cases with 44,973 THA cases, finding significantly lower intraoperative bleeding in the BHA group but longer hospitalization durations and higher risks of pneumonia and kidney failure. Their review also suggested a lower dislocation risk with BHA, consistent with other studies and our findings. This highlights the importance of weighing the benefits of reduced operative complications against the potential for improved long-term outcomes with THA.(32)
Su et al. (2023) conducted a meta-analysis utilizing the European Quality of Life 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EU-5Q) to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after hip arthroplasty in elderly patients. Their analysis included four RCTs, two cohort studies, three case-control trials, and three cross-sectional surveys, encompassing a total of 651 elderly patients. They found that THA resulted in significantly higher HRQoL scores compared to hemiarthroplasty (OR = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02–0.08; P = 0.002), suggesting that THA may be more beneficial for elderly patients in terms of overall quality of life.(33)
Okike et al. (2023) examined a U.S. hip fracture registry to compare the revision risks associated with unipolar hemiarthroplasty, bipolar hemiarthroplasty, and THA. Their multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that both unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty had higher revision risks compared to THA, particularly in patients aged 60 to 79 years and those with an ASA classification of I or II. This finding aligns with our results, where THA participants reported higher satisfaction and no significant differences in dislocation rates compared to BHA.(34)
Another study by Tohidi et al. (2024) utilized a propensity-score-matched cohort to compare the effectiveness of THA and hemiarthroplasty for displaced FNFs. Their results indicated that although both groups had similar revision and readmission rates, THA patients had higher dislocation rates but lower mortality rates. These findings emphasize the importance of considering patient-specific factors such as age, comorbidities, and overall health status when choosing between THA and hemiarthroplasty.(35)
It is important to note that a difference in size between the two lower limbs is relatively common in both bipolar and total hip arthroplasty procedures. According to the literature, limb length discrepancy can cause pain, limping, and neuropathy. However, perceived LLD(limb length discrepancy) has been reported in the range of 20–32% of patients and LLD is consistently perceived when the shortening is greater than 10 mm and the lengthening is more than 6 mm. (36) There is a consensus among medical professionals that when LLD exceeds 1.5 cm, it can lead to several issues including lower back pain, abnormal gait patterns, and overall patient dissatisfaction.(37) Furthermore, some researchers have noted that even minor disparities in leg length following THA can have adverse effects, particularly in terms of limping and pain experienced by patients.(38) Anyway, Our study revealed no significant difference between the two methods regarding perceived limb length discrepancy (LLD).
Dislocation following surgery is a significant complication in both total hip arthroplasty (THA) and bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty (BHA). The complications and associated costs of dislocation are substantial for both the healthcare system and the patient. However, the literature presents conflicting evidence regarding the comparative rates of dislocation between THA and BHA. Contrary to Fan et al. (2012), who recommended BHA for elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures due to lower dislocation rates and reduced operative duration, our study found no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative dislocations between the THA and BHA groups. This discrepancy may be attributed to differences in the patient demographics and fracture types considered in Fan et al.'s research.(39)
In conclusion, our study reinforces the existing body of evidence that THA generally leads to higher patient satisfaction and quality of life compared to BHA for the treatment of femoral neck fractures. While both procedures exhibit comparable rates of postoperative dislocation and limb length discrepancy, the choice between THA and BHA should consider individual patient factors, including comorbidities, activity levels, and specific surgical risks. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods is warranted to deepen our understanding of the long-term outcomes and optimize treatment strategies for this patient population.
Research Limitations
This study was limited by a small sample size due to the relatively low number of femoral neck fracture patients referred to Shariati Hospital. The use of a telephone questionnaire, necessary due to the time-consuming nature of in-person examinations, restricted the ability to assess aspects such as joint range of motion post-surgery. Additionally, the inability to directly measure limb length discrepancy relied on patients' subjective assessments, potentially increasing the error rate.
Suggestions for Further Studies
Most recent studies and meta-analyses published in reputable journals favor THA over BHA, though few have considered specific age ranges for this preference. Some studies have rejected the preference for patients over 80 years old. Further research is needed on complications, postoperative infections, dislocation, and limb length discrepancy. Future studies should investigate the preferred method for different types of femoral neck fractures and consider factors such as prosthesis type and surgical cement. Additionally, research should examine risk factors for joint dislocation to provide a more comprehensive understanding.