Hip Fracture
Georgia Suffers a Hip fracture
After what seems like many hours, the doctor and nurse come back into Georgia’s room to break the news that Georgia’s right hip is broken and she will need surgery. She will have surgery as soon as the surgeon finishes with the patient he is operating on right now. Georgia will wait in the emergency room; they are told it could be hours. Georgia tells Rosemary to go home and she will be fine, but Rosemary does not believe her and stays because Georgia has no family in town. She cannot just leave her there. Rosemary feels that Georgia needs an advocate here with her, someone to watch out for her. Rosemary feels that she should ask some questions of the doctor about hip fractures, but is not sure what to ask.
Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are very common. In 2006 there were over 300,000 hospital admissions due to hip fractures. Most hip fractures are caused by falling sideways on to the hip. Women sustain 75 percent of hip fractures, with the risk greatly increasing for both men and women over the age of 85.
Treatment
Treatment most often includes surgery, hospitalization for at least one week, and then rehabilitation. A hip fracture is considered a serious injury and sadly, one in five patients who have sustained a hip fracture will die within one year. The best scenario is prevention.
Prevention of Hip Fractures
- Weight bearing exercises that build strength and improve balance.
- Evaluate medications for side effects that cause dizziness.
- Schedule medications to promote a good night’s sleep without the need to get up to urinate.
- Regular eye exams
- Avoid fall risks in the home; remove throw rugs and clutter, use assistive devices such as canes and walkers when needed and use them appropriately.
- Make sure there is adequate lighting in the home and outside.
- Eat a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D which assists with absorption of the calcium for strong.
- Osteoporosis screening
For more information
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adulthipfx.html
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/9891/1/Osteoporosis-Calcium-and-Estrogen.html