The epidemiology of femoral neck fractures in Jerusalem. A prospective study (1967-1971).

A prospective study of 570 patients with fracture of the upper end of the femur was carried out between 1967 and 1971 in Jerusalem. Of three distinct ethnic groupings, Western or Ashkenazi females and Eastern or Sephardi males produced the highest incidence of fractured neck of the femur proportional to their makeup in the population at risk. No explanation for this is forthcoming as both groups are of differing sex and race. The age and sex incidence of these fractures in the Eastern and Western ethnic groups in this city showed a distinct resemblance to their geographicaly counterparts in other studies. There is an interesting seasonal pattern of incidence of fractures in females and correlation with increased physical activity during the three special holiday periods.