Fractures of the femoral neck, that is, "cervical hip fractures" constitute 53% of all fractures of the proximal femur (hip fractures) according to the Swedish National Hip Fracture Register linked to SAHFE (Standardised Audit of Hip Fractures in Europe). The most reproducible classification system divides cervical hip fractures into undisplaced (33%) and displaced (67%). Hip fractures are common and costly. Due to the expected increase in the number of elderly in the world during the coming decades the number of hip fractures will increase dramatically, particularly in developing countries. In Sweden three quarters of the patients are women, the mean age is now 81 years and half of the patients are living alone. Hip fractures are rare below 50 years of age. In recent years there has been an incidence increase in the oldest patients, i.e. those over 80 years of age. For these elderly, the incidence in Lund, Sweden, increased from 13.2/1000 in 1966 to 25.5/1000 in 1986. The high number of patients with hip fractures and the cost of treatment increases the need for prevention as well as optimization of operative treatment and rehabilitation. National guidelines are being developed in Europe. Linked with national audits like SAHFE they can improve the quality of care by audit and feedback. (Less)