Hip fractures in the elderly can treat with surgery.

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Hip fractures in the elderly can treat with surgery.

Hip fractures are common in the elderly because the hip joints are weak due to the deterioration of bone mass density with increasing age.  If the elderly fall and break their hip, it is consider an emergency. That requires immediate treatment to reduce the chance of complications that can lead to death.

Therefore, getting to know about hip fractures is something that we should pay attention to so that we can take better care of ourselves and those close to us.

What is a femoral neck fracture?

It is a fracture of the upper part of the femur, from the femoral neck, Intertrochanteric Area to the Subtrochanteric Area. It is commonly found in the elderly. Who often have osteoporosis. Women are at higher risk of osteoporosis than men because the amount of estrogen hormone decreases after menopause, causing bone mass to decrease rapidly. This increases the risk of hip fracture from falling. 

Symptoms of a hip fracture

  • Leg deformity: The toe on the side with the broken hip is rotated outward, or the broken leg may be shortene.
  • Bruised, swollen hip or cold feet
  • Unable to move the broken leg
  • Unable to put weight on the leg with the broken hip.

Risk factors for hip fracture

  • Increasing age, especially from 60 years of age and above
  • Women are three times more likely to have a hip fracture than men.
  • Genetics: If an elderly person in your family has a history of easy fractures, you are at higher risk.
  • Body structure: People with small bone ทางเข้า ufabet structures or thin bodies are at risk of easily breaking bones.
  • Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes: Drinking alcohol and smoking regularly and consuming insufficient calcium can cause weak and brittle bones.
  • Some medications may have side effects that can cause muscle weakness or increase the chances of developing osteoporosis.
  • Chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic renal failure 

Complications of hip fracture

Hip fractures do not immediately cause immediate death. However, hip fractures in the elderly, if not treated promptly, can result in death from complications that occur during recovery because the patient may become bedridden, leading to life-threatening complications, including:

  • Collapsed lung
  • Infectious pneumonia
  • Pressure sores on the back can lead to serious infections.
  • Urinary tract infection
  • A blood clot forms in a vein in the leg. If the clot breaks off, it travels to the heart and then to the lungs, where it becomes blocked in the lungs, which can lead to death.

Diagnosis of hip fracture

Diagnosis is generally done by using an X-ray. Which can done accurately. There are only some groups where the traces from the X-ray may not be clear. It is necessary to use a computerized X-ray or MRI. When the diagnosis is clear that the hip is broken, the doctor will recommend treatment by surgery.