At the orthopedic department at Diakonhjemmet hospital, the extensive HIFSAT study is in full swing. It will compare two different surgical methods for inserting partial prostheses in elderly patients with hip fractures. The study examines the traditional method, where the hip muscle, gluteus medius, is loosened to gain access to the hip joint, and a new muscle-sparing posterior method, called SPAIRE.
- The standard method is to loosen the gluteus medius muscle to get to the hip joint, which can lead to limping and pain in around 20 per cent of patients after the operation. Even if the muscle is sewn back into place, some stitches may break, or the muscle may become weak, explains doctoral candidate and LIS 3 (doctor in specialisation) in orthopedics, Maren Paus. She has the HIFSAT. study as her doctoral project.
The new method, SPAIRE, avoids loosening the muscle. It reduces the risk of lameness and pain. The method also provides increased stability and reduces the risk of the prosthesis dislocating.
The importance of optimal treatment
Elderly patients with hip fractures are a vulnerable group who need the best possible treatment to recover quickly and well after the operation. The HIFSAT study aims to improve treatment methods and potentially change practice both nationally and internationally.
Long-term follow-up
After a month and a half, 25 patients have been included in the study, which has exceeded expectations. The orthopedists on duty have done an impressive job of including patients.
The patients are asked if they want to participate in the study before surgery, and then they are followed for two years. The main goal is to find out if one surgical method gives better results than the other. In addition, quality of life, length of hospital stay and prosthesis placement are measured.
Orthopedic inpatient unit A at Diakonhjemmet Hospital specializes in the treatment of elderly people with hip fractures. Photo: Diakonhjemmet hospital, Øyvind Røsøvåg Hagen
World-class team
The team behind the study consists, in addition to Maren Paus, of a project manager, postdoc and senior physician at the Department of Orthopaedics, Mads Sundet, vice director of REMEDY, and head of the Clinical Research Unit, Siri Lillegraven, LIS 3 and postdoc Ulf Sundin, senior physician Kristian Sydnes at the Department of Orthopaedics, physiotherapist, advisor and PhD at the Department of Clinical Activity (AKA), Sylvia Sunde and Haldor Valland, head of the department of Orthopaedics.
Orthopedic ward A at Diakonhjemmet Hospital has for over 10 years been a specialist department for hip fractures and treats patients from eight of Oslo's 15 districts. The department is known for its high quality treatment and has 22 beds as well as its own emergency department for hip fracture patients.
Clinic manager Magne Flatlandsmo at the Department of Anesthesia and Surgery emphasizes the importance of offering optimal treatment for elderly people with hip fractures.
Through the HIFSAT study, you contribute to the further development of patient care both locally and internationally. - The treatment of elderly people with hip fractures has been an area of development and focus for the clinic for several years. Through the HIFSAT study, Diakonhjemmet takes responsibility for further developing patient care, not only locally, but both nationally and internationally, says clinic manager Magne Flatlandsmo, Clinic for Anesthesia and Surgery.
Read more about the study: HIFSAT (remedy-senter.no)
