Ounce of prevention can prevent hip fractures

Hip fractures are a medical condition that has an enormous impact on the elderly, but it possibly is the easiest to prevent with good diet, supplements and a little exercise.

Hip fractures are a common injury in the elderly. Hip fractures are the most common broken bones that require hospitalization. Treatments for hip fractures are a relatively straightforward procedure. The most common methods of treatment include the placement of a screw in the femoral head or replacement of the entire femoral head with a joint prosthesis. This preferred treatment always requires surgery. While the treatments are not too complicated, the surgery has a surprisingly high mortality.

After surgery, a prolonged and specialized care may be required, such as a long-term nursing home or a rehabilitation facility. After a year, some patients who have previously broken their hip still are at a high risk of breaking their hip again.

Hip fractures are, for the elderly, usually caused by falls, most seemingly insignificant. With younger patients and patients with stronger bones, the more common causes of hip fractures include high-energy trauma, such as automobile accidents or pathologic fracture. Weak bones in the elderly can also be a primary cause of hip fractures. Elderly patients with osteoporosis are at a much higher risk of developing a hip fracture than someone without osteoporosis. Caucasian women seem to be at higher risk, and other factors include the build of the individual and the limitation of physical activity.

Osteoporosis is a condition that results in the loss of bone mass. The mineralization of the bone is normal, but for persons with osteoporosis bones are thinner than in normal individuals. With thinner, weaker bones, osteoporosis patients are at a greater risk for developing a fracture from accidents such as falls or sudden twisting. Treatments for osteoporosis are available and will help the elderly avoid serious complications of this disease, such as broken hips. Calcium supplements and foods high in calcium are important for prevention of osteoporosis. See your physician for input on what is best for you.

Treatment of hip fracture is dependent on the age of a patient, other medical problems the patient might have, and the location and type of fracture. The most common types of fractures that can occur are interochanteric fractures and femoral neck fractures. Because there are differences in anatomy and post-operative complications associated with these types of fractures, the treatments are different.

As stated earlier, treatment for a broken hip is almost always performed surgically. It is imperative that patients with broken hips are up and moving as soon as possible and follow their physician's instructions. The methods of fixing a fractured hip are to either replace the head of the femur (the thigh bone) with a prosthetic joint, or to place a large screw into the femoral head to anchor the head of the femur to the shaft of the bone. The method used depends on the type and location of the fracture, the age, and any other medical problems.

A fracture of the femoral neck, just below the ball of the ball-and-socket hip joint, is almost always treated in the elderly with a hip-joint prosthesis. Femoral neck fractures are especially prone to avascular necrosis. This is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to a bone is lost, often due to a fracture. Historically, because of high incidence of fractures, a replacement prosthesis is optimal to avoid this complication.

The major category of hip fractures is called intertrochanteric fractures. This type of fracture occurs slightly further down from the femoral neck, and does not carry the risk of avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to the bone). The location of this type of fracture does make a joint prosthesis more difficult to place. This makes intertrochanteric hip fracture most commonly treated with a screw that extends across the fracture and into the femoral head. The screw is attached to a plate extending down the femoral bone shaft for support. The design of the screw will allow the fracture to compress upon itself and, in turn, will speed the healing.

Prevention is the key to eliminating hip fractures. Women with osteoporosis have the largest numbers of hip fractures.

At The Villas Assisted Living Facility, caregivers work with residents, their physicians, and physical therapists and family members in trying to prevent hip injuries. A dietician stresses a well-balanced diet to ensure the proper nutrients are received. The nurses and caregivers work closely with physicians in giving medications for control of osteoporosis, and the activity director utilizes exercises and continuous group activities and outings to keep seniors stimulated and active.