EVALUATING THE POSTOPERATIVE QUALITY OF LIFE AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF TRADITIONAL HERBAL TREATMENT IN ATHLETES WITH OSTEOPOROTIC INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of Bushen Huoxue Decoction in conjunction with standard osteoporosis treatment on the clinical outcomes and postoperative quality of life in athletes suffering from osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures. Methods: Between January 2020 and June 2022, 100 athletes with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures were recruited. They were divided into two groups: the control group (50 athletes) received standard osteoporosis treatment post-proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) internal fixation, and the study group (50 athletes) received the same surgical treatment plus Bushen Huoxue Decoction. Clinical data, including bone mineral density, bone metabolism markers, and serum inflammatory factors, were retrospectively analyzed. Functional outcomes were evaluated using scores for hip joint function, pain, comfort, sleep quality, and overall life quality. Fracture healing times and complication rates were also compared between the groups. Results: Post-treatment assessments showed that the study group exhibited significantly higher improvements in bone mineral density across various sites compared to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the study group demonstrated enhanced bone metabolism, reduced inflammation levels, and faster fracture healing times. Notably, athletes in the study group reported better outcomes in hip joint function, reduced pain levels, improved sleep quality, and higher overall comfort and life quality scores compared to the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the study group. Conclusion: The integration of Bushen Huoxue Decoction with standard post-surgical osteoporosis care in athletes leads to superior clinical outcomes, suggesting its effectiveness in enhancing bone health, accelerating recovery, and improving quality of life post-fracture. This approach may also minimize complications, making it a valuable addition to the rehabilitation protocols for athletes recovering from osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures.