Identifying and Caring for a Hip Fracture Hip fractures happen more often than people think, especially in older women suffering from osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the degeneration of bones until they become fragile and brittle due to a loss of tissue. That loss of tissue can come from losing it and not making enough to replace it. The pores in the bone open up and let tissue escape more easily. It is a common disease that develops in the elderly. Women are most prone to it, but men suffer as well.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis Those more fragile bones break more easily in falls and bumps. Even though a fully grown adult could once handle the fall from a normal height, the same fall after infection with osteoporosis can break bones. Symptoms of this disease include a curving spine, height loss, or the easily broken bone. Most elderly don’t realize they even have the disease until they’ve broken a bone. Hip fractures can happen to anyone though due to an accident or rather painful fall from any height. It causes pain in the leg when put through its normal functions. Symptoms include pain when you straighten, lift, or stand on that leg. Visible signs of a hip fracture include a slightly turned out foot on the side of the fracture. Your toes will appear to turn out. You can use these two signals as evidence that you should visit your doctor soon. Your doctor will verify the diagnosis with X-rays. If X-rays are iffy, he’ll turn to an MRI, CT scan, or bone scan to confirm. If you are diagnosed with a hip fracture, you are often sent in for surgery to repair the damage. In some cases, stabilizing screws or rods must be added in to help the bone set and recover properly. In other cases, hip replacements become necessary to get everything working properly again. Whatever the care you need, be sure to get the help of someone you can trust.
Preventing Hip Fractures Prevention of these fractures comes from continued, regular exercise, and healthy eating habits. In some cases, it’s best to stave off osteoporosis to avoid a weakening skeletal structure.
The best way to do this is to eat a healthy and calcium rich diet. Calcium maintains the strength and form of your bones. Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium. Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium efficiently. Fish and fortified milk products give you good amounts of Vitamin D. Potassium and Vitamin K rich foods help block the loss of calcium from your bones. Broccoli, kale, turnips, and bananas can provide you these much needed nutrients. Maintaining a healthy diet has the ability to do so much good for your long-term health, especially in maintaining the strength of your skeletal structure. The Salt Lake Orthopedic Clinic helps get those with hip fractures back on their feet as quickly as possible. Their experienced staff has the expertise and knowledge to care for your hip fracture. If you have recently experience hip fracture, visit the Salt Lake Orthopedic Clinic to get help that you can trust. Proper care will help preserve your mobility for the years to come.