A study is reported of 190 institutionalized patients with 192 fractures about the hip who were evaluated, treated surgically, and followed for at least one year. One of these patients had metastatic carcinoma and another died in the operating room before anesthesia, leaving 188 patients with 190 fractures for analysis. The results of treatment in terms of survival and ability to walk again were less than satisfacotry in this group of generally aged poor-risk patients. Six weeks after fracture mortality rate was over 36 per cent. Only 20 per cent of all patients or 40 per cent of those surviving over six weeks were able to walk after operation. Of the total series, 17 per cent of the total series were unable to walk before fracture. The factors contributing to high mortality and low percentage of patients able to walk again are discussed.