MAPT Protocol: Fixation Versus Arthroplasty Surgical Treatments for Early Recovery After HIP Fracture (FASTER-HIP)

This study is an intervention domain of the Musculoskeletal Adaptive Platform Trial. The primary goal of this pragmatic, randomized, open-label, comparative effectiveness trial is to evaluate if arthroplasty is superior to internal fixation when used to treat minimally displaced femoral neck fractures in older adults ≥60 years old. We hypothesize that arthroplasty will reduce death, preserve ambulation, increase days alive and out of hospital, and improve health status compared to internal fixation within 4 months and 12 months from randomization.

The Musculoskeletal Adaptive Platform Trial (MAPT) is an adaptive platform trial protocol that enables the simultaneous evaluation of multiple interventions (i.e., intervention domains) within a consistent infrastructure. Each intervention being evaluated in the MAPT will have an intervention domain protocol that describes additional eligibility criteria, interventions, secondary outcomes, and statistical stopping rules. The overarching objective of the MAPT trial platform is to incrementally decrease decisional uncertainty and identify treatments that will optimize patient outcomes. The platform focuses on the comparative effectiveness of available treatment options.

Adult patients aged 60 years or older with a low-energy minimally displaced femoral neck fracture treated with surgery are eligible for the FASTER-HIP intervention domain. Nearly half of all elderly hip fractures are femoral neck fractures, and approximately 20% are minimally displaced. Internal fixation has remained the treatment of choice for these injuries because these fractures can be fixed in situ, and the surgical implants can be inserted with little surgical dissection. Patients treated with internal fixation experience high complication rates, with the pooled risk of reoperation and mortality each above 14%. Preliminary data have suggested arthroplasty for minimally displaced fractures may lead to better patient outcomes, including improved ambulation, fewer reoperations, and a lower risk of death compared to internal fixation. While the preliminary data supporting the use of arthroplasty for minimally displaced fractures is promising, the necessary evidence to make this practice change remains lacking.

FASTER-HIP is a pragmatic, randomized, open-label, comparative effectiveness trial comparing hip arthroplasty versus internal fixation for minimally displaced femoral neck fractures. Randomization in this domain occurs in a 1:1 ratio (hip arthroplasty:internal fixation). The primary outcome is a composite of death within 120 days, ambulation status at 120 days, and days alive and out of hospital within 120 days of randomization. The primary outcome will be hierarchically assessed using the Win ratio. Secondary outcomes include the same composite at 365 days, individual components of the composite, health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), and pain scores during hospitalization.